Flu season is right here as soon as once more. And plenty of questions have fashioned during the last couple of years about how one can keep secure from each the influenza (flu) and COVID-19 viruses, in addition to tips on how to inform in case your signs could also be attributable to seasonal allergic reactions or a special virus as a substitute.
UChicago Drugs infectious illnesses consultants are right here to assist handle your issues and provide up some key recommendation on tips on how to keep secure this season.
Beneath, Allison Bartlett, professor at College of Chicago Drugs and affiliate medical director of pediatric an infection management, solutions generally requested questions.
Does COVID-19 or influenza pose a higher threat for individuals this season?
Both virus could make you very sick or result in loss of life, which is why it is important to get vaccinated and in addition to keep away from shut contact with others when sick. There are undoubtedly populations which can be extra in danger for extreme problems from every an infection. Older adults and folks with power underlying well being situations appear to be more likely to get severely in poor health with COVID-19. And children, particularly infants below 1, and pregnant ladies usually tend to have extreme infections with influenza.
Does having COVID-19 offer you any antibodies towards a respiratory virus just like the flu?
Sadly not. Having one virus doesn’t shield you from the opposite.
How are you going to inform when you’ve got the flu, COVID-19, seasonal allergic reactions or a special virus?
One of the simplest ways to inform what sort of respiratory virus you may have is to get examined. Signs might be almost unattainable to inform aside. That is very true between COVID-19 and the flu, with the notable exception that some individuals with COVID-19 lose their sense of style and odor. Add in the truth that individuals can have considered one of these two viruses with out signs, and it is mainly unattainable to inform one from the opposite by yourself.
Testing determines the perfect remedy to your signs and the way lengthy it’s best to keep house from work or college. The excellent news is that many well being care suppliers who’re doing coronavirus checks ought to have the ability to take a look at you for the flu on the identical time. There are a lot of different viruses that may trigger respiratory signs, so even in case you take a look at destructive for COVID and flu, it’s best to observe good respiratory hygiene: cowl your cough, throw tissues away after use, wash your palms regularly.
What steps can you’re taking to keep away from getting COVID-19 and the flu?
Most of the steps we take to guard ourselves from the coronavirus are the identical issues we have to do to maintain us secure from influenza. Crucial factor you are able to do to maintain your self and people round you secure from each viruses is to remain up-to-date in your COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
You must get a flu shot even in case you’ve already had the flu this season. The vaccine prevents towards 4 totally different strains of the virus and we anticipate a minimum of yet one more (Flu B) to be circulating later this season.
Practising these good habits can be an effective way to remain wholesome:
In the event you’re feeling in poor health, maintain your distance from others and keep away from shut contact with those that could have COVID-19 or the flu.
Wash your palms typically to forestall the unfold of the virus.
Cowl your mouth when sneezing and maintain from rubbing your eyes, mouth and nostril.
Will the flu shot shield me towards the coronavirus?
The flu shot may also help forestall individuals from turning into sick from influenza however will not present particular safety towards COVID-19. And the COVID-19 vaccine alone is not going to forestall you from getting the flu. It’s strongly advisable that you simply obtain each vaccines for optimum safety.
Can Tamiflu or the flu shot deal with COVID-19?
Tamiflu or a flu shot is not going to instantly deal with or reduce the signs of COVID-19. However you may get vaccinated towards the flu and COVID-19, which may also help forestall an an infection and reduce severity. And in case you get sick with influenza or have been uncovered to it, you may take antiviral remedy like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to forestall getting sick.
COVID-19 remedy choices can be found and differ relying on the severity of your signs and well being historical past. Antiviral therapies may also help forestall the virus from spreading and keep away from severe sickness.
What must you do in case you develop influenza or COVID-19 signs?
When you have any signs, keep house, avoid different individuals and attempt to isolate your self to forestall the unfold to others. Attempt to get examined inside 48 hours of the beginning of your signs.
If it is influenza, your well being care supplier can prescribe remedy to assist your signs enhance quicker.
If it is COVID-19, your well being care supplier could suggest one of many remedy choices referenced above.
Will the pneumonia vaccine shield me towards the flu or COVID-19?
The pneumonia vaccine helps shield towards a wide range of micro organism that may trigger bacterial pneumonia. The pneumonia vaccine will not forestall flu or COVID-19, however it could assist forestall problems that will come after.
Can I increase my immune programs to guard towards flu or COVID-19?
We want there have been a listing of issues we might do to assist our immune programs forestall us from getting sick with the flu or the coronavirus. However there isn’t any magic immune-boosting drug—solely vaccination. As an alternative, concentrate on consuming a wholesome, diverse weight loss program and getting sufficient sleep. Additionally, be sure you’ve bought any power medical situations below management.
Can I do something to lower my probability of getting very sick if I have been uncovered?
As soon as an publicity to COVID-19 has occurred, there’s not rather a lot we will do to change who will get sick from it. When you have been uncovered to influenza, your doctor could offer you some remedy like Relenza (zanamivir), Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Rapivab (peramivir) inside 48 hours of publicity. Nevertheless, the perfect factor you are able to do is concentrate on avoiding publicity.
Are there new RSV vaccines accessible for adults?
In 2023, there are lastly methods to guard infants and family members from RSV throughout virus season. Nirsevimab is a newly-approved, one-time injection that gives speedy safety to infants 0 to eight months outdated and reduces threat of RSV-related hospitalization considerably. All infants born at Comer Youngsters’s and Ingalls Memorial throughout RSV season will likely be supplied this injection. Infants lower than 8 months outdated initially of RSV season can obtain nirsevimab from their pediatrician and it may be given together with different routine immunizations.
UChicago Drugs can be providing two newly accredited RSV vaccinations to eligible adults. A vaccine generally known as Abrysvo is obtainable to pregnant people between their thirty second and thirty sixth weeks. UChicago Drugs sufferers over 60 may obtain an RSV vaccine generally known as Arexvy. These grownup vaccinations can be found throughout doctor workplace visits and each present key safety for these at highest threat of extreme RSV signs.
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Q&A: Is it COVID, flu, or allergic reactions? shield your self and family members this season (2023, December 21)
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