PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — The respiratory virus season, which runs from fall through early spring, peaks between December and February in the United States.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts expect hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and the Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
Dr. Sarah Nosal, the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said there is a lot families can do to be proactive on prevention.
“I am anticipating, as I think we all are, a rough respiratory season,” Nosal said, adding that vaccines and over-the-counter at-home tests are useful tools.
The CDC recommends “staying up-to-date with recommended immunizations” to lower the risk of hospitalization and death from respiratory illnesses.
The CDC recommends RSV vaccines for all adults aged 75 and older and for adults who are 50 and older who are at increased risk for severe illness. Routine annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccination are also recommended.
Nosal said patients living with health conditions need to stay in touch with their physicians.
“We should be preparing your asthma medications for the fall and winter,” Nosal said. “Should we be making sure your diabetes is well controlled?”
Nosal said a focus on hygiene can prevent infection.
“When you touch your nose, your mouth, your eyes, or even your face, and your hands have not just been washed, you are likely transmitting small bits of virus to yourself throughout the virus season,” Nosal said.
Nosal said this is a good time to start making choices to quit smoking, get adequate sleep, minimize stress, and focus on nutrition.
“We want our body to have all of the nutrients, not to be deficient in any nutrients,” Nosal said.
Research shows that deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins have an impact on cellular immune responses.
Useful links
- CDC Respiratory Illness Season Toolkit
- Medline Plus: Exercise and immunity
- American Cancer Society on immunization
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla.
