03.03.2023 | Tracker

Respiratory tracker: eHCPs are hopeful about declining flu and RSV numbers

By Mark Sullivan

Each month, CREATION.co’s respiratory tracking update brings you the latest insights into the online UK healthcare professional (eHCP) conversation regarding respiratory disease. 

Between 21 January and 20 February 2023, CREATION Pinpoint® identified 2,230 UK eHCP posts discussing respiratory diseases. These were authored by 1,187 UK eHCPs. The online activity of UK eHCPs discussing respiratory diseases this month decreased from 2,799 posts last month, which was a drop of 20%. The conversation only exceeded the previous average daily level of conversation on 17 February, when 19 eHCPs responded to a call for COPD patients to participate in a survey from Edinburgh Napier University. 

The most active eHCP this month was Stephen Griffin, a virologist who posted 28 times about respiratory disease. He often engaged with the public who had questions about the immune response to COVID-19. These included the long-term impact of avoiding respiratory infection, and the needs of immunocompromised patients.

As we move out of winter in the northern hemisphere, eHCPs are starting to note the ‘good news’ that ‘flu and RSV are on the wane’. One paediatrician commented that levels of flu, RSV and other respiratory diseases have reached pre-COVID-19 levels and suggests that ‘the lockdown affect may be behind us.’ A post that was shared by 10 eHCPs in the UK highlighted to the public that because RSV and flu numbers are declining, if people have cold or flu symptoms at the moment, it is likely to be COVID-19. 

Within the RSV conversation, eHCPs showed a particular interest in the HARMONIE trial, a ‘fantastic study’ that is testing the efficacy of a single antibody dose of an RSV vaccine for babies. 20% of RSV posts mentioned this trial. eHCPs encouraged parents to enrol their babies in the trial and shared that they had done the same, expressing gratitude that their baby had been vaccinated. 

The most discussed respiratory disease this month was asthma (followed by COVID-19 and COPD), which was mentioned in 29% of posts. Several asthma-related posts touched on environmental issues. 13 eHCPs supported the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone in London, often sharing an article from the Evening Standard that highlighted the impact of pollution in London on asthma in children. They picked up on the Mayor of London’s claim that the expansion will reduce pollution related deaths by 4,000 a year. Two eHCPs shared member of parliament Geraint Davies’ post criticising the Environment Secretary for delaying implementation of World Health Organization air quality standards, which he said would result in thousands more deaths and ‘millions more asthma attacks.’

Other eHCPs used Twitter to educate their peers about asthma medication. They shared guidelines, journal articles and the occasional “hack” for administration of medication. The most shared post by (33) other UK eHCPs in the respiratory disease conversation was Sam Goodhand’s post that shared his hack for using a syringe and an inhaler to administer salbutamol. 

Each month, we track the eHCP conversation relating to respiratory disease.

 

You can keep up to date with this and other pharmaceutical tracking updates, including COVID-19 developments, within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights. 

 

If you would like to dig deeper into what we have seen this month then please do get in touch.

 

Methodology

  • This article analysed the Twitter conversations of HCPs in the UK discussing respiratory disease and related terms between 21 January and 20 February 2023 using CREATION Pinpoint®.
  • Between 21 January and 20 February 2023, there were 2,230 UK eHCP mentions of respiratory disease and related terms, from 1,187 unique UK eHCP authors. 

 

Click here to read the latest respiratory tracker 

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Meet the Author

Mark Sullivan

Mark uses his passion for data analysis to find actionable insights to inform pharma teams' strategic decisions.

Mark is an avid sports fan whether watching or playing. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and watching films.

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