Is it COVID, flu, or allergies? How to protect yourself and loved ones this season

Flu season is right here as soon as once more. And lots of questions have shaped during the last couple of years about how one can keep secure from each the influenza (flu) and COVID-19 viruses, in addition to the best way to inform in case your signs could also be attributable to seasonal allergic reactions or a special virus as a substitute.

UChicago Drugs infectious ailments consultants are right here to assist tackle your considerations and supply up some key recommendation on the best way to keep secure this season.

Under, 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 folks 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 likewise to keep away from shut contact with others when sick. There are positively populations which can be extra in danger for extreme problems from every an infection. Older adults and folks with persistent underlying well being situations appear to be more likely to get severely in poor health with COVID-19. And children, particularly infants beneath 1, and pregnant women 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 will you inform in case you have the flu, COVID-19, seasonal allergic reactions or a special virus?

One of the best ways to inform what sort of respiratory virus you may have is to get examined. Signs will be practically unimaginable to inform aside. That is very true between COVID-19 and the flu, with the notable exception that some folks with COVID-19 lose their sense of style and odor. Add in the truth that folks can have considered one of these two viruses with out signs, and it is principally unimaginable to inform one from the opposite by yourself.

Testing determines the best treatment on your signs and the way lengthy you need to keep house from work or college. The excellent news is that many health care providers who’re doing coronavirus exams ought to be capable of take a look at you for the flu on the similar time. There are various different viruses that may trigger respiratory signs, so even when you take a look at unfavorable for COVID and flu, you need to apply good respiratory hygiene: cowl your cough, throw tissues away after use, wash your arms regularly.

What steps can you’re taking to keep away from getting COVID-19 and the flu?

Lots 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 need to get a flu shot even when you’ve already had the flu this season. The vaccine prevents towards 4 completely different strains of the virus and we count on not less than yet one more (Flu B) to be circulating later this season.

Practising these good habits can also be an effective way to remain wholesome:

• In the event you’re feeling in poor health, hold your distance from others and keep away from shut contact with those that could have COVID-19 or the flu.
• Wash your arms usually to stop the unfold of the virus.
• Cowl your mouth when sneezing and hold from rubbing your eyes, mouth and nostril.

Will the flu shot shield me towards the coronavirus?

The flu shot can assist stop folks 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 stop you from getting the flu. It’s strongly really useful that you just obtain each vaccines for max 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 will get vaccinated towards the flu and COVID-19, which can assist stop an an infection and reduce severity. And when you get sick with influenza or have been uncovered to it, you’ll be able to take antiviral medication like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to stop getting sick.

COVID-19 therapy choices can be found and range relying on the severity of your signs and well being historical past. Antiviral remedies can assist stop the virus from spreading and keep away from critical sickness.

What do you have to do when you develop influenza or COVID-19 signs?

You probably have any signs, keep house, steer clear of different folks and attempt to isolate your self to stop the unfold to others. Attempt to get examined inside 48 hours of the beginning of your signs.

If it is influenza, your health care provider can prescribe remedy to assist your signs enhance sooner.

If it is COVID-19, your well being care supplier could suggest one of many therapy 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 stop flu or COVID-19, however it might assist stop problems that will come after.

Can I increase my immune techniques to guard towards flu or COVID-19?

We want there have been an inventory of issues we might do to assist our immune techniques stop us from getting sick with the flu or the coronavirus. However there is not any magic immune-boosting drug—solely vaccination. As a substitute, give attention to consuming a wholesome, diverse eating regimen and getting sufficient sleep. Additionally, ensure you’ve acquired any persistent medical situations beneath 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 so much we will do to switch who will get sick from it. You probably 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. Nonetheless, the perfect factor you are able to do is give attention to avoiding publicity.

Are there new RSV vaccines out there 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 rapid safety to infants 0 to eight months previous and reduces threat of RSV-related hospitalization considerably. All infants born at Comer Youngsters’s and Ingalls Memorial throughout RSV season shall be supplied this injection. Infants lower than 8 months previous at the beginning of RSV season can obtain nirsevimab from their pediatrician and it may be given together with different routine immunizations.

UChicago Drugs can also be providing two newly authorized RSV vaccinations to eligible adults. A vaccine generally known as Abrysvo is out there to pregnant people between their thirty second and thirty sixth weeks. UChicago Drugs sufferers over 60 may also 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.