There’s still time to protect against flu and COVID-19 this holiday season

The vacations deliver extra indoor gatherings and elevated travels, which suggests viruses are inclined to unfold extra simply. Should you’re gearing as much as journey or anticipating spending time with family and friends, there’s nonetheless time to get your vaccines.

Getting vaccinated isn’t nearly defending your self—it’s about safeguarding these round you, particularly susceptible teams just like the aged, younger kids and pregnant girls. Flu season historically begins in October and sometimes peaks between December and February, making now a perfect time to get vaccinated earlier than the vacations. By getting vaccinated now, you’re taking a proactive step in defending your self and others.

Kevin Herrick, MD with Dignity Well being Medical Group – Dominican gives important tricks to maintain you and your family members wholesome this flu season. Under, you will discover skilled recommendation on the most recent vaccinations, how you can acknowledge signs and differentiate between COVID-19 and the flu, and efficient preventive measures to fight these seasonal diseases.

Most individuals ought to get the flu vaccine. 
Everybody aged 6 months and older—with a couple of uncommon exceptions—ought to get the flu shot yearly. The vaccine not solely helps stop you from getting sick, however in the event you do catch the flu, it could scale back the severity of your signs and the danger of problems.

The CDC additionally recommends that everybody 6 months and older obtain an up to date COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 season to counter the continued dangers of COVID-19 and fight new and prevalent variants, no matter their vaccination historical past. Because the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, the effectiveness of earlier vaccines diminishes over time. The up to date vaccine helps the immune system defend towards variants at the moment resulting in nearly all of infections throughout the U.S. The vaccine takes only a few minutes, however the safety it gives lasts all season lengthy. 

How will you inform you probably have the flu or COVID-19? 
It may be tough to inform their signs aside since their signs overlap considerably — starting from fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and physique aches. Experiencing a change in or lack of style or odor is extra frequent with COVID-19. The one strategy to precisely inform the distinction between the 2 is with a take a look at, which may also let you understand how lengthy you possibly can anticipate to be contagious for and how you can handle your sickness. 

What else can I do to maintain myself and my household protected? 
Prioritizing each the flu and up to date COVID-19 vaccines is your greatest protection towards sickness this fall and winter. Alongside vaccination, it is important to include day by day preventive measures. These embody avoiding shut contact with those that are sick, staying house if you’re unwell, overlaying your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and sustaining good hand hygiene by often washing your palms with cleaning soap and water or utilizing an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Moreover, carrying masks in crowded locations and making certain that indoor areas are well-ventilated can additional scale back the danger of contracting the flu and different respiratory viruses.

Key Takeaways
There’s nonetheless time to guard your self and your family members from flu and COVID-19. To guard your self and others, you’ll want to:

• Get each the flu and up to date COVID-19 vaccines as quickly as doable.
• Get examined for COVID-19 in the event you’re experiencing signs, as many respiratory viruses have a tendency to seem equally. 
• Observe good hand hygiene, keep house if you’re feeling unwell, and keep away from shut contact with those that are sick.

Whereas some antiviral drugs may also help battle the flu and COVID-19, vaccination and wholesome habits are your greatest line of protection. Schedule your annual flu shot and get the up to date COVID-19 vaccine to guard your self and your family members. Should you’re 60 or older, communicate along with your Dignity Well being Medical Group supplier about whether or not the RSV vaccine is suitable for you.