CLEVELAND — In May of 2020, Norman Martin battled COVID-19 at Cleveland Clinic’s Marymount Hospital. As someone with COPD, he was especially concerned about his health, and described the time he was battling the virus in the hospital as “one of the roughest periods of my life.”
“When I was in for COVID the first time, I was traumatized, I really was,” he said, adding he had nightmares about his time in the hospital.
With the help of healthcare workers, many of whom would make him signs and cheer him on, Martin battled, and was able to go home. However, he still had to manage his COPD and navigate the pandemic with a compromised immune system.
“It’s no joke, I mean it’s really taken a lot out of me, a lot from me,” he said of living with COPD. “I feel like I’ve been robbed.”
Unfortunately, Martin landed in the hospital again in late October of 2022, this time, with the flu. Once again, he fought his way through, but described feeling weak and anxious.
"Compared to COVID, maybe people are thinking this is no big deal, but it is a big deal, because it's coming back with a vengeance,” said Martin’s doctor, Dr. Sumita Khatri, a pulmonologist and director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Asthma Center.
According to the latest data from the CDC, Ohio is in the “very high” category for influenza-like illness. The Ohio Department of Health reports 396 flu-associated hospitalizations so far in the 2022-2023 flu season in Northeast Ohio.
Dr. Khatri said that a number of factors contribute to why there’s been high flu activity this year. For example, with kids back in school and people gathering together again, viruses can spread, especially from school to home. She also added that after last year’s flu season, some children may not have built up immunity. Additionally, she said fewer people have received their flu vaccines this year.
Dr. Khatri said anyone who is unsure about vaccines or has questions should turn to their doctor for their medical expertise and recommendations, rather than social media.
“Unless we all get vaccinated for the flu, our pandemic will become that tripledemic which we’re already seeing with RSV, flu, and COVID,” she said.
Dr. Khatri suggested maintaining the good habits developed during COVID, such as handwashing and covering your cough. If you’re not feeling well, she recommended getting tested or staying home. If you’re not sure, or are going to see grandma, she recommended wearing a mask. She also suggested everyone get flu shots and COVID boosters.
“When they need to come into the hospital, that means another bed that somebody else who has maybe cancer or some other issues are not getting," she said. "We are constantly at capacity.”
While Dr. Khatri said people shouldn’t hesitate to visit the doctor or hospital if they need to, by taking the aforementioned measures, some severe infection can be avoided.
Dr. Khatri and Martin both urge people to take necessary precautions, if not for themselves, then for others.
“If you’re a person who cares about other people and wants to see people do well and be well, you’ve got to think about them,” Martin said.