The latest public health information from the CDC recommends the following regarding COVID-19 Pneumonia, Influenza, and RSV.
CDC recommends that everyone six months or older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna were made available late last week, targeting the XBB strain and the older variants. Vaccination remains the best practice against the COVID-19 virus and reduce your need for hospitalization. They also prevent death from COVID-19 and suffering from the effects of Long COVID. Ensure you obtain your vaccination to protect yourself during the coming fall and winter months.
The COVID-19 vaccinations are safe, with hundreds of millions of vaccinations being given to date. Those 65 and older or those with compromised immune systems are encouraged to receive a second bivalent booster until the new monovalent vaccine is available.
COVID-19 is very contagious and spreads quickly. Spending time around a person coughing, sneezing, shouting, or breathing heavily due to exertion and being around someone with symptoms increases the risk of transmission. If one of you wore a well-fitted, high-quality mask, you would have decreased your chances of contracting COVID-19; if both wore a well-fitted, high-quality mask, you would have lowered your risk substantially. Ventilation and air filtration will also reduce your risk of transmission, as outdoor air reduces the risk even more. A crowded setting increases your risk, while adding distance from others reduces your risk of transmission.
If you feel you have been exposed to the virus regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection, mask immediately and get tested. Day 0 is the day you were exposed, and day 1 is the following day. On day 11, you can remove your mask. Your mask must be a high-quality N95 whenever you are around others inside your home or in a public area indoors. If you start having symptoms, the clock starts all over. For people who are not healthcare workers, the CDC has a COVID-19 Isolation Exposure Calculator.
If you are a healthcare provider, follow your facility’s protocols and guidance.
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccinations for all ages 65 or older. There are four approved vaccines: PCV13, PCV15, PCV20, and PPSV23. Discuss with your healthcare provider which is the best for you. If you have never received a pneumococcal vaccine before, most likely, you will receive the PCV15 first and then at one year, followed by a PPSV23.
Influenza vaccinations are recommended in September and October but will be accessible throughout the flu season. It is recommended that children 6 through 35 months receive two doses of 0.25 ml 4 weeks apart. Anyone over three years to 64 years old gets a one-time dose of 0.5 ml. Those 65 and older should have more adjuvanted influenza vaccines yearly.
CDC recommends everyone gets vaccinated from the flu. The vaccination can prevent illness, medical resistance, hospitalizations, and deaths. For people with chronic health issues or pregnant mothers, it is an excellent preventative for both mom and baby. Even though you might get the flu, you should have reduced illness. Remember that the flu vaccine is made from a dead virus, and you cannot get the virus from the vaccine.
RSV usually causes mild cold symptoms. Usually, those affected recover in a week or two. There are medications specific to older adults and different medicines for treating infants and young children to keep them from getting severe RSV.
RSV can cause more serious health issues, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, leading to hospitalizations in children and older adults. This is a droplet-based transmission, which means it is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get these droplets in your eyes, nose, or mouth when you are close enough. Touching a surface and touching your face from someone who has coughed, sneezed, or wiped their nose and then touching the surface without washing their hands can transmit the infection.
You can expect RSV to be contagious for 3 to 8 days. RSV can survive many hours on hard surfaces and shorter times on soft surfaces like your sleeve. Stop the spread of RSV by covering your coughs and sneezes with tissue, not your hands; wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Avoid close contact with others and clean touched surfaces frequently.
While it may feel complicated to need so many vaccines, getting them all at once is generally safe. This is called co-administration. Yes, the Flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines can be given together.
If you are sick, stay home. Contact your care provider for your next steps if you have symptoms.
CDC: Protect yourself from COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
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CDC COVID–19 Isolation Exposure Calculator
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