With the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring that Covid-19 is less likely to be completely eradicated, the theory of this health crisis being ‘syndemic’ is becoming increasingly relevant. WHO has categorized the rapid spread of Covid-19 across the globe as a ‘Pandemic’. Traditionally, a pandemic is declared when a previously unknown disease, for which people lack immunity, disseminates worldwide beyond expectations. This differs from an epidemic, which refers to a large outbreak confined to a population or region. If a disease’s infectious agent maintains a constant presence within a locale or population group, it is regarded as endemic.
Syndemic Explained
The concept of a syndemic is one where two or more epidemics collaborate synergistically, leading to an amplified disease burden within a population. The term was first expounded upon by medical anthropologist Merrill Singer in the mid-1990s. Effectively, it describes situations where health issues interact with each other within particular populations.
Potential for a Covid-19 Syndemic
The inability to completely eliminate the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with warnings of a second wave and the emergence of diseases like dengue and malaria due to upcoming monsoon seasons in tropical South Asia, could potentially create a syndemic situation. This means an increased burden of diseases on global health resources.
Impact of Antibiotic Resistance
Weakened immunity is suspected to be a likely cause for the second wave of Covid-19 infections. Alongside this, the world is grappling with antibiotic resistance. A possible syndemic of Covid-19 within populations exhibiting antibiotic resistance could lead to comorbidities, defined as the simultaneous occurrence of more than one condition. In essence, antibiotic resistance describes the ability of bacteria or other microbes to resist the effects of antibiotics. It happens when bacteria adapt to nullify the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other agents designed to cure or prevent infections.
Historical Precedence of Syndemic Situations
The concept of a syndemic is not new. In the 1957 Asian influenza pandemic, deaths resulted not only from the primary viral infection but also from secondary bacterial infections among influenza patients, creating a viral/bacterial syndemic. Recent research in Kenya revealed that 5% of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections were attributable to increased HIV infectiousness among malaria-infected individuals.
Proactive Solutions
To prevent a potential syndemic, comprehensive population testing for Covid-19, such as PCR and antibody testing, needs to be implemented globally. Societies worldwide must also consider innovations in population health surveillance technology and develop scalable creative business models.
