Preparing for the Worst: The Resurgence of Respiratory Infections

As SARS-CoV-2 infections continue to ebb and flow, other respiratory viruses have made a big global comeback. We saw an early and large spike in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases and are in the midst of the worst influenza outbreak in nearly a decade. Even before the Northern Hemisphere flu season, influenza cases began trending well above the average of the past three years, starting in Spring 2022. Other lesser known causes of respiratory illness such as enterovirus and adenovirus have also caused outbreaks during the past year, some with additional uncommon but serious non-respiratory impacts such as acute flaccid paralysis. This webinar will examine the current trends and possible causes of the resurgence of respiratory infections in the aftermath of the pandemic. Learning Objectives: Understand the current trends in respiratory illness in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic Review the theory of viral interference and other factors that may be shaping the resurgence of respiratory viruses Discuss why detecting and differentiating respiratory pathogens is important for treatment and isolation strategies