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Winter is here, causing the same old array of symptoms — cough, stuffy nose, fatigue and fever — and, this year, a new COVID-19 variant dominates the scoreboard. COVID-19 leads hospitalizations among respiratory viruses, according to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last week, 25 U. S. states were in the U. S. U. S. cases reported high or very high levels of respiratory illness accompanied by fever, cough and other symptoms. That’s down from 37 states last week, the CDC said.
Since the beginning of October, there have been at least 16 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 11,000 deaths from flu so far this season. The CDC said 47 children have died of flu. January can be the worst month for these illnesses. With vaccination rates low, what can you do to protect yourself from respiratory viruses, including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV?
Hand washing is still necessary to decrease the spread of viral infections. Take your time in front of the sink. Twenty seconds is recommended. If you feel silly about singing “Happy Birthday” twice while rubbing yourself with soap and water, count to 20. Use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available. Also, wear a mask in high-traffic areas. Increase ventilation in your office and home.
In the United States, only 17% of those eligible have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which provides good protection against the now-dominant JN.1 variant. It’s not too late to roll up your sleeve. While you’re at it, make sure you’ve had your annual flu shot. Those 60 and older may want to get the RSV vaccine, which also is recommended during pregnancy to prevent RSV in infants.
Young people seem to catch all the germs that circulate. Can your parents get sick? This time of year, young people are inside, running intensely with other young people, touching the same toys and surfaces, said Jennifer Sonney of the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle. Some haven’t learned to cough and simply haven’t been exposed to many diseases. So their immune formula is still being developed.
It’s taking care of yourself if you’re a parent of young children, said Sonney, who is also president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. “We know that if you’re sleep-deprived, if you’re dehydrated or if you’re experiencing a lot of stress, you can compromise your immune function,” Sonney said. Having young children is very demanding, “so this whole recommendation should be interpreted in the context of reality,” he said. If everything is done right, little children will still catch colds.
A special note if your baby is sick: It’s a smart idea to have saline drops and a syringe bulb at home. They can be used to remove mucus from small noses. “Put a few drops of saline in a nose and suck on it. “, then move to the other side,” Sonney said. Doing this before eating and sleeping is too much. “A home kit for children may also include acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, tissues for runny nose, and water. Bottles or cups to stay hydrated.
If you get sick, immediate checkups can help if you have COVID-19 or the flu. It is vital to know if you need any of the medications that can help you save a serious illness: Paxlovid for COVID-19 and Tamiflu for the flu. If you don’t have a monitoring kit at home, find a monitoring site for treatment at a nearby pharmacy or fitness center. There is also a free home treatment program for adults who are uninsured or dependent on the government. fitness insurance.