The temperature is dropping, leaves are falling from the trees, and the days are getting shorter. It is officially fall and, unfortunately, also the beginning of cold and flu season.
Numbers are currently low. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza, known as flu cases, are “minimal” at the moment, but that is likely to change soon.
Cases typically start popping up sporadically throughout September and October, Chris Zowtiak, physician assistant director and resident education with St. Elizabeth Healthcare, told LINK nky. There is usually a gradual increase in cases, with numbers typically peaking at the beginning of January.
While flu numbers are currently low, Zowtiak said there have been “upticks in the number of RSV cases and COVID cases.” Another concern Zowtiak warned of is a “serious risk of the fall/winter ‘triple-demic’ of flu, RSV and COVID this year.”
As the season continues, “primary care offices, urgent care clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals often experience an increase in patients seeking care,” which Zowtiak said can sometimes lead to increased wait times and crowded hospitals.
So, how can Northern Kentuckians protect themselves? Read on to learn the local recommendations.
How do I keep my family from getting sick?
While sometimes illness is unavoidable, there are definitely some steps to take to lower the chances of catching anything.
The best way to protect yourself is with the flu vaccine, Zowtiak said. He recommends anyone over six months old, “including and especially pregnant patients,” should get the flu shot, with those over 65 receiving a higher dose vaccine. A new COVID-19 shot that “targets the latest variant of the COVID virus very effectively” is also recommended by Zowtiak.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly known as RSV, is another concern this season. RSV can cause respiratory infections and is “most dangerous to young or premature babies, people with chronic medical conditions, and older adults,” said Zowtiak. He recommends a new single-dose preventive treatment that is available for children under eight months and a vaccine available for certain adults over 60.
Zowtiak said that everyone who can, should get vaccines, “even healthy people without any other vulnerabilities should consider protecting more fragile people around them by getting a flu shot and avoiding passing flu to those they love.”
Outside of medical treatments, Zowtiak advises individuals to “practice good hand washing hygiene, avoid people with known symptoms of illness, and stay home if you are sick.”
How do I stop the spread?
The best way to stop the spread of viruses is, again, practicing good hygiene and staying home when you’re sick, Zowtiak said.
Schools, workspaces and other public places should promote these healthy practices, Zowtiak said, by making hand sanitizers easily accessible and encouraging people to take preventive measures like vaccinations.
These spaces should also “exercise policies and procedures that encourage sick people to stay home while they are infectious,” Zowtiak said. He also recommended those who are sick and/or individuals at a higher risk consider wearing a mask.
How do I know what I have?
“It can be tough to differentiate between a common cold and a cold caused by influenza,” said Zowtiak.
The reason for this, Zowtiak said, is that common cold symptoms like “congestion, sneezing, runny nose, fever, sore throat, cough, and fatigue” are similar to flu symptoms and “can be caused by a variety of different viruses” which spread easily in the cold.
However, those symptoms would be seen as a mild form of the flu, which can cause much more severe symptoms such as “high fevers, body aches, congestion, sinus pain and pressure, sore throat, severe cough, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” Zowtiak said.
The flu can be very contagious, and for young children, older adults and those with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems, Zowtiak said, it can “cause life-threatening illness requiring hospitalization.”
If you are experiencing cold symptoms and a fever, he recommends staying home for 24-48 hours after your fever has subsided and if you really want to know if you have the flu, go to the doctor for a test.
What do I do if I am sick?
Talk to your doctor; that is the number one suggestion Zowtiak gave.
Virtual visits are often a great way to talk to a medical professional to decide what course of action to take when ill, “not all patients will require testing to confirm their diagnosis, since it often does not affect the treatment recommendations,” said Zowtiak.
For those who do not have a primary care provider, Zowtiak recommends seeking care at an urgent care clinic and/or the health department.