Cold, Flu, RSV…Oh My! It’s that time of year again, respiratory illnesses are lurking around ready to pounce on any unsuspecting victim and their household. You can take a proactive approach to help ward these illnesses off and mitigate their impact on you and your family. Put the old adage ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ into action.
Many respiratory viruses circulate in the winter can be especially hard on kids under five, older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, such as chronic lung diseases (asthma and COPD), heart disease, diabetes and weakened immune systems. However, there are some preventive measures you can take to mitigate your risk and that of your family members.
Preventative Measures
Vaccines remain a key tool for preventing and reducing the severity of COVID-19 and flu, so it’s important to stay up to date on your vaccinations. The flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.
RSV vaccination is recommended for all adults 75 years and older. RSV vaccination is also recommended to help protect babies from severe RSV illness and is given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy typically, September through January. The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine like the flu shot so if you’ve already received one, you do not need another at this time.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. The 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines are updated to give the best protection against strains currently circulating. Those 65 or older at high risk due to an underlying medical condition or who want to lower the risk of Long COVID, vaccination is imperative. Even if you had COVID-19, a COVID-19 vaccine helps provide additional protection.
If you have an infant or are an expectant parent, talk to your healthcare provider about an RSV preventive antibody to help provide protection against severe RSV illness. This preventive antibody is recommended for all infants under 8 months and babies/toddlers between 8-19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV and is typically given in October through March.
Preventative Habits
Besides vaccines, there are some basic habits to help prevent catching and spreading respiratory viruses whether you feel sick or not. Handwashing is the most important and should be done often with soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (if soap and water isn’t available.)
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or your elbow if a tissue is not available. And avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Also keep your distance from others in your home or in public to help prevent them from getting sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces is especially important to help prevent spreading illness to other members of the home.
Virus particles can build up indoors. To help improve the air indoors, open windows, use exhaust fans, filter the air with portable HEPA filters and set your home’s HVAC system to ‘on’ when you have visitors. Mask wearing can also help provide protection against circulating viruses both at home and in public.
If you feel sick, contact your health care provider as soon as possible to get a diagnosis so you can start the right treatment. This can also help prevent the spread of illness to others. West Tennessee Medical Group has providers close to home who can help diagnose and treat your illness. To find a provider near you and schedule an appointment, click here.
