The season is fast approaching.
To prepare for the upcoming fall cold and flu season, it is advisable to get the latest influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations, according to Dr. Nicholas Turner, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at Duke University. Turner recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine, especially individuals over 65 or those with chronic health conditions.
Three new COVID-19 vaccines have recently been approved to address the latest variants. Turner stresses that these updated vaccines provide better protection against currently circulating viruses compared to older versions, and they should already be available.
COVID-19 generally peaks twice a year: in late summer and early fall, and again in winter. In preparation, the federal government plans to distribute another round of free at-home COVID tests by the end of the month.
However, Turner suggests that not everyone needs to test for COVID-19 with every symptom. He advises considering whether a test would influence your treatment or behavior around others. For those at high risk of severe COVID-19, such as individuals over 65 or with chronic conditions, early testing can be crucial, as antiviral treatments like Paxlovid are most effective when administered within five days of symptom onset.
Testing can also be important for protecting others, especially in settings where you might interact with vulnerable individuals, such as during travel or in workplaces with high-risk individuals. While at-home tests are generally effective in detecting the latest variants, they are less accurate than tests conducted in a clinical setting. If an at-home test is negative but symptoms persist, repeating the test in a couple of days is advisable.
For those who test positive for COVID-19, it is recommended to isolate until symptoms improve and to continue wearing a mask for an additional five days. The duration of infectiousness can vary, but most people will be noninfectious within ten days of symptom onset. Immunocompromised individuals or those who are healthy and vaccinated may have slightly different timelines.
In general, it is courteous to stay home if you’re sick, or to wear an effective mask if you need to go out. Mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 should be managed similarly to a cold, with hydration and over-the-counter medications for symptom relief. This advice applies to both children and adults, ensuring that children stay hydrated and are given appropriate medications like Tylenol for comfort.
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