Winter has arrived, bringing along its typical signs such as coughing, stuffy nose, exhaustion, and high body temperature. Additionally, this year, there is anothernew COVID-19 variant is dominating the scoreboard.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is responsible for the highest number of hospital admissions among respiratory viruses.
According to the CDC, the number of U.S. states experiencing elevated levels of respiratory illnesses, including symptoms like fever and cough, decreased from 37 states the previous week to 25 states last week.
Up until now this season, there have been a minimum of 16 million cases of sickness, 180,000 people being admitted to the hospital, and 11,000 deaths caused by the flu since October began. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that 47 children have lost their lives to the flu.
In terms of these illnesses, January is often considered the most challenging month. Given the low rates of vaccination, what steps can be taken to safeguard oneself against respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV?
BACK TO BASICS
Hand-washing remains crucialIn order to limit the transmission of viral infections, it is important to spend an adequate amount of time washing hands. It is advised to wash hands for at least twenty seconds. If you find it amusing to sing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing your hands with soap, you can alternatively count to 20 slowly.
When soap and water are not available, utilize hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.
Furthermore, it is advisable to don a face covering when surrounded by a large number of people. Additionally, enhance air circulation both at your place of employment and in your domicile.
NOT TOO LATE TO VACCINATE
In the United States, only 17% of those eligibleI have been given the recently updated COVID-19 vaccine, which offers effective defense against the currently prevalent JN.1 variant.
COVID-19 vaccine as well. Don’t wait any longer, get vaccinated now. Additionally, if you’re over 60, consider getting your yearly flu shot.RSV vaccineIt is also advised to take this medication while pregnant to protect newborns from RSV.
WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN AT HOME
Can parents prevent themselves from getting sick when their young children seem to catch every germ that’s going around?
According to Jennifer Sonney, a member of the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle, during this season, children typically spend more time inside, in close proximity to other children, sharing toys and surfaces. Some children have not yet learned to cover their coughs, and because they have not been exposed to many illnesses, their immune systems are still developing.
According to Sonney, who was the previous president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, it is crucial for parents and caregivers of young children to prioritize self-care.
Sonney mentioned that lack of sleep, dehydration, and high levels of stress can negatively affect your immune system.
She stated that having young children is extremely challenging, and it is important to consider the practical situation while following the given advice. Even if parents do everything correctly, their children are still likely to catch colds.
If your baby is feeling unwell, it is advisable to keep saline drops and a bulb syringe at home. These items can help in removing mucus from the baby’s small nostrils.
Sonney recommends putting a few drops of saline solution into one nostril, suctioning it out, and repeating the process on the other side. Doing this before meals and bedtime can be very beneficial.
A children’s home kit might also consist of fever-reducing medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, tissues for nasal congestion, and sippy cups or water bottles to ensure they stay hydrated.
Also Read: Wastewater testing can track mpox and other bugs, study finds
TEST TO TREAT
Swift testing can play a crucial role in discerning whether you are afflicted with COVID-19 or the flu in case you fall ill. This becomes significant in order to assess if you require any medicinal intervention to mitigate the severity of the illness, such as Paxlovid for COVID-19 or Tamiflu for the flu.
test kit at a store or pharmacy nearby.test-to-treat siteoption of virtual consultations with a medical professional via video call.home-based test-to-treat programfor adults without insurance or those dependant on government health coverage.
