COVID-19 and Flu Season, Pediatric Updates with Sam Dominguez, MD

As countries in the Southern Hemisphere move through what would normally be their influenza season, early data indicates that efforts to stop COVID-19 have all but eliminated the typical viral spread of flu in those communities. These early behaviors have providers in the Americas wondering if influenza will take a similarly mild course, while others warn of a “Twindemic” dual impact of COVID-19 and influenza.

Listen to a pediatric infectious disease expert discuss the flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this episode, we will delve into the latest epidemiology of the pandemic, how pediatricians might think about the approaching flu season and what tests to order.

We are fortunate to have Sam Dominguez, MD, join us in this episode. Dr. Dominguez is a pediatric infectious disease physician at Children’s Hospital Colorado and Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• Updates on the epidemiology of the pandemic
• Data to support the impact that mask-wearing has on the spread of COVID-19
• The status of vaccine development
• What we know about population screening tools such as temperature and symptom check tools
• What we’ve learned from the various school learning models that are in place
• The expectation that there will be small outbreaks in schools because they can’t eliminate risk and why that should not cause alarm
• What we know about the spread of influenza in the Southern Hemisphere
• Whether COVID-19 will continue to be the leading differential during the winter when children come in with symptoms such as a fever and cough
• Recommendations for ordering tests during the respiratory virus season
• The risk of reinfection

Treatment of infectious diseases at Children’s Colorado

Our pediatric experts in the Infectious Disease Program at Children's Colorado provide a breadth of expertise ranging from laboratory-based research to the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Pediatricians can treat many infectious diseases, but when unique or different symptoms are present, it’s important to refer to a pediatric specialist. We are prepared and ready to treat patients with suspected or confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus. Our clinical staff has been specially trained on how to identify, isolate and treat patients with this and other contagious illnesses.