Is it COVID, flu, or allergy symptoms? shield your self and family members this season

Flu season is right here as soon as once more. And plenty of questions have fashioned over the past couple of years about how one can keep protected from each the influenza (flu) and COVID-19 viruses, in addition to methods to inform in case your signs could also be brought on by seasonal allergy symptoms or a special virus as a substitute.

UChicago Medication infectious ailments consultants are right here to assist handle your issues and supply up some key recommendation on methods to keep protected this season.

Under, Allison Bartlett, professor at College of Chicago Medication and affiliate medical director of pediatric an infection management, solutions generally requested questions.

Does COVID-19 or influenza pose a better threat for individuals this season?

Both virus could make you very sick or result in demise, which is why it is important to get vaccinated and in addition to keep away from shut contact with others when sick. There are undoubtedly populations which might be extra in danger for extreme problems from every an infection. Older adults and folks with persistent underlying well being circumstances appear to be more likely to get severely in poor health with COVID-19. And children, particularly infants below 1, and pregnant girls 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 you probably have the flu, COVID-19, seasonal allergy symptoms or a special virus?

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

Testing determines the finest remedy in your signs and the way lengthy it is best to keep house from work or college. The excellent news is that many well being care suppliers who’re doing coronavirus exams ought to be capable to take a look at you for the flu on the identical time. There are numerous different viruses that may trigger respiratory signs, so even when you take a look at unfavourable for COVID and flu, it is best to observe good respiratory hygiene: cowl your cough, throw tissues away after use, wash your arms incessantly.

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

Most of the steps we take to guard ourselves from the coronavirus are the identical issues we have to do to maintain us protected from influenza. A very powerful factor you are able to do to maintain your self and people round you protected from each viruses is to remain up-to-date in your COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

You must get a flu shot even when you’ve already had the flu this season. The vaccine prevents towards 4 totally different strains of the virus and we anticipate no less than yet one more (Flu B) to be circulating later this season.

Working towards these good habits can be a good way to remain wholesome:

• If you happen to’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 individuals 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 helpful that you simply obtain each vaccines for optimum 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 may 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 treatment like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to stop getting sick.

COVID-19 remedy 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?

If in case you have any signs, keep house, steer clear of different individuals 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 well being care supplier can prescribe treatment to assist your signs enhance quicker.

If it is COVID-19, your well being care supplier could advocate one of many remedy choices referenced above.

Will the pneumonia vaccine shield me towards the flu or COVID-19?

The pneumonia vaccine helps shield towards quite a lot of micro organism that may trigger bacterial pneumonia. The pneumonia vaccine will not stop flu or COVID-19, however it will probably assist stop problems that will come after.

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

We want there have been a listing of issues we might do to assist our immune techniques stop us from getting sick with the flu or the coronavirus. However there is no magic immune-boosting drug—solely vaccination. As an alternative, deal with consuming a wholesome, assorted food regimen and getting sufficient sleep. Additionally, ensure you’ve acquired any persistent medical circumstances below 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 loads we are able to do to change who will get sick from it. If in case you have been uncovered to influenza, your doctor could offer you some treatment like Relenza (zanamivir), Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Rapivab (peramivir) inside 48 hours of publicity. Nonetheless, one of the best factor you are able to do is deal with avoiding publicity.

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

UChicago Medication can be providing two newly authorised RSV vaccinations to eligible adults. A vaccine referred to as Abrysvo is on the market to pregnant people between their thirty second and thirty sixth weeks. UChicago Medication sufferers over 60 may also obtain an RSV vaccine referred to 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.