Navigating The Holiday Season: A Guide To Respiratory Virus Protection

While the holidays are a time for happiness and celebration, they are also when respiratory viruses are most likely to spread. Putting your health first and taking preventative measures to safeguard your loved ones as families gather to celebrate is essential.

This guide will review doable actions and successful tactics to guarantee a safe and joyous holiday season.

Who Is Giving The Expert Advice?

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California at San Francisco, said that COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus also spread due to the many Americans travelling by air on Thanksgiving week.

They will also be in close contact with infected individuals and touching contaminated common surfaces.

What Are The Precautions One Should Take To Save Themselves From The Respiratory Viruses?

Credit: Canva

Wear Your Mask Everywhere

Even after local governments relaxed COVID-19 regulations in 2023, many Americans abandoned the mask-wearing habit. According to Chin-Hong, wearing a mask at the airport and on public transportation is still one of the best ways to stop the spread of illness.

Even on flights with adequate ventilation, Chin-Hong says, masks should be worn as an extra precaution against sneezing and coughing passengers.

Avoid Crowded Spaces

Chin-Hong advises against congregating in crowded areas for Thanksgiving dinner or get-togethers with old friends.

Keep Your Hands Clean

Chin-Hong added that washing your hands is another healthy habit to get into during the holidays. The CDC states that a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can kill many germs if soap and water are unavailable.

As a general rule, you should refrain from touching your mouth, nose, or eyes to prevent the spread of germs.

When Are Americans Planning To Travel?

Credit: Canva

According to theory, the only way to ensure you don't get a virus during the holidays is to not travel at all, but most Americans can't afford to do that, according to Chin-Hong. According to AAA's forecast, approximately 55 million people are anticipated to travel between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday.

The Transportation Security Administration estimates that on the Sunday following Thanksgiving alone, nearly 3 million travellers are anticipated to travel through airports nationwide. But not everybody will be taking to the skies. More than 49 million Americans, or the majority, will travel by car.

According to Chin-Hong, a vehicle is still an enclosed space, even though some people might view this as safer than wandering through an airport or sitting on an aircraft.

Credit: Canva

According to Chin-Hong, many Americans have grown indifferent to circulating viruses.

As per the recent KFF survey, roughly 75% of adults say they are "not too worried" or "not at all worried" about contracting COVID-19 over the holidays, and 2/3 say they are not concerned about infecting those close to them.

According to Chin-Hong, testing for COVID-19, the flu, or RSV, is a good option that should be used more frequently if you're concerned about spreading a virus.

This is especially true if you're visiting young, old, or at-risk relatives, like those with weakened immune systems or pregnant women.

Where Is The Spreading?

After declining during the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal flu activity is again on the rise in most of the nation. The CDC reports that during the week ending November 11, there was high flu-like activity in Puerto Rico and several Southern US states, with Louisiana experiencing extremely high flu activity.

This week, 3.5% of medical visits were brought on by respiratory illnesses, including fever combined with a cough or sore throat.

Meanwhile, CDC data show that cases are increasing in Western states like Alaska, New Mexico, California, and Texas.

How Can Vaccines Help?

Credit: Canva

Experts emphasise that this is the right time for everyone who qualifies to get vaccinated, as vaccines against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV are now accessible for the first time.

The CDC advises that everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens carry both; you can even get them simultaneously.

According to Chin-Hong, very young children should have received their flu shot last month. Parents should, at the very least, vaccinate their children if they haven't had their flu shot.

The CDC said on Thursday that over 77,000 extra doses will be sent "immediately" to hospitals and doctor's offices, even though quantities are currently scarce.

Two RSV vaccines are available for those 60 years of age and older, and the CDC advises getting them as soon as possible.

Credit: Canva

In addition, local health clinics, pharmacy chains, and other retailers carry the vaccines. According to Chin-Hong, maintaining current vaccination records can ease the burden on hospitals, many of which struggled with RSV, flu, and COVID-19 last year.

As per the CDC, almost a third of children and over a third of US adults have had flu shots this year. In contrast, roughly 14% of older adults 60 and over have received the new RSV vaccine, and 5% of children and adults have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.