The arrival of winter brings with it the typical symptoms such as coughs, stuffy nose, tiredness, and fever. However, this year, a new variant of COVID-19 is gaining attention.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that COVID-19 is the top cause of hospitalizations among respiratory viruses.

The CDC reported that 25 states in the U.S. had elevated or extremely elevated levels of respiratory illnesses, including symptoms like fever and cough, last week. This number has decreased from the previous week, which had 37 states with similar levels.

The CDC has reported that since October, there have been over 16 million cases of flu, resulting in 180,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 deaths. Tragically, 47 children have also lost their lives to the virus.

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?

BACK TO BASICS

Proper hand hygiene is essential in preventing the spread of viral infections. It is recommended to spend at least 20 seconds washing your hands. If singing “Happy Birthday” twice feels awkward, simply count to 20 slowly while washing with soap and water.

When soap and water are unavailable, utilize hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.

“Wearing a mask is recommended in crowded places. It is also advised to improve ventilation in both your workplace and home.”

“It is still possible to get vaccinated.”

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.

There is still time to get your flu shot. Additionally, make sure you have received your annual flu shot. Individuals aged 60 and above may also consider getting the RSV vaccine, which is also recommended for pregnant women to protect infants from RSV.

“If you have kids living in your household”

Is it possible for parents to avoid getting sick, even though young children tend to catch every germ?

During this season, kids are typically indoors and in close proximity with other children. Jennifer Sonney, a member of the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle, explains that they often share toys and surfaces. Some children may not have learned to cover their coughs, and others may not have been exposed to a variety of illnesses, which means their immune systems are still developing.

Sonney, the former president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, emphasized the significance of self-care for parents and caregivers of young children.

According to Sonney, insufficient sleep, dehydration, and high levels of stress can all weaken your immune system.

Raising young kids requires a lot of effort, as stated by the speaker, “Therefore, all of this guidance should be considered in light of actual circumstances.” “Even if you follow all the rules, children will still catch colds.”

For parents with a sick infant, it is recommended to keep saline drops and a bulb syringe on hand. These tools can help remove mucus from small nasal passages.

According to Sonney, applying a few drops of saline into one nostril, suctioning it, and repeating on the other side can be beneficial before eating and sleeping.

A child’s at-home package could also consist of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for high temperatures, tissues for congestion, and sippy cups or water bottles for staying hydrated.

TEST TO TREAT

If you become ill, timely testing can assist in determining if you are infected with COVID-19 or influenza. This is crucial in determining if you require medication to prevent serious illness, such as Paxlovid for COVID-19 or Tamiflu for the flu.

If you do not possess a testing kit in your residence, seek out a test-and-treat facility at a pharmacy clinic or healthcare center in your vicinity. Additionally, there is a complimentary program available for adults without insurance or dependent on government healthcare that allows for home-based testing and treatment.

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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group provides support for the Associated Press Health and Science Department. The AP is solely responsible for all of its content.