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WASHINGTON — New variants of COVID-19 are dominating the scoreboard this year as winter arrives, bringing with it the usual array of symptoms: coughs, stuffy noses, fatigue and fever.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the novel coronavirus is the leading respiratory virus in hospitalizations.
Last week, 25 U.S. states had high or very high levels of respiratory illness, which is accompanied by fever, cough and other symptoms. That's down from 37 states the previous week, according to the CDC.
So far this season, at least 16 million people have been sickened by influenza, with 180,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 deaths since early October 2023. The CDC announced that 47 children died from the flu.
January can be the worst month for these diseases. With vaccination rates low, what can you do to protect yourself from respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus?
back to basics
Hand washing remains important to reduce the spread of the virus. Please relax in the sink. 20 seconds is recommended. If you think it's ridiculous that he sings “Happy Birthday” twice while washing with soapy water, count slowly to 20.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.
Also, please wear a mask in crowded places. Increase ventilation in your workplace and home.
It's never too late to get vaccinated
In the United States, only 17% of eligible people have received the latest COVID-19 vaccines that provide sufficient protection against the now predominant JN.1 variant.
It's never too late to roll up your sleeves. In the meantime, make sure you get your annual flu shot. People over 60 years of age may want to get her RSV vaccine. It is also recommended during pregnancy to prevent RSV in infants.
children at home
Young children seem to pick up all the germs around them. Will their parents be able to avoid the disease?
During this time, children are indoors, close to other children, and touching the same toys and surfaces, said Jennifer Sonny of the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle. Some people have not yet learned how to cover up their coughs, and their immune systems are still developing because they simply haven't been exposed to as many illnesses.
Sonny, who is the immediate past president of the American Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, said it's important for parents and caregivers of young children to take care of themselves.
“We know that if you're sleep deprived, dehydrated, or experiencing a lot of stress, your immune system can be compromised,” Sonny says.
Having young children is extremely difficult, she says, “so all this advice needs to be interpreted in a realistic manner.” “Despite doing everything right, kids still get colds.”
Special precautions if your baby is sick: It is recommended to have saline drops and a bulb syringe at home. It can be used to remove mucus from small nostrils.
“Put a few drops of saline in one nostril and aspirate the other nostril,” Sonny says. “Doing this before eating and sleeping can be very effective.”
Home kits for children may also include acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, tissues for runny noses, and a sippy cup water bottle for hydration.
Tests for treatment
If you get sick, a rapid test can help determine whether you have COVID-19 or the flu. It is important to find out if you need any of the medications that will help prevent serious illness. In other words, Paxlobid is used for coronavirus infection, and Tamiflu is used for influenza.
If you don't have a test kit at home, find a nearby pharmacy clinic or health center for testing and treatment. There are also free home-based test-to-treatment programs for adults who are uninsured or dependent on government health insurance.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Education Media Group. The Associated Press is solely responsible for all content.
