Protect Against Respiratory Viruses, Other Illnesses to Stay Healthy This New Year

By LaTINA EMERSON, Health & Fitness Columnist

During winter months, respiratory viruses pose a serious threat to our health, putting us at risk for illnesses including flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the common cold. In addition, strep throat, which is caused by a bacterial infection, affects many children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the state of Georgia has very high overall respiratory activity based on healthcare visits for fever, cough or sore throat. In Coweta County, cases of flu and COVID-19 are increasing, while cases of RSV are decreasing, based on visits to emergency departments, the CDC reported in early January.

To stay healthy in the new year, it’s important for people of all ages to take precautions to avoid illness.

Follow the CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself against respiratory viruses:

• Stay up-to-date with vaccines.

– Individuals six months and older should get an annual flu vaccine and a current COVID-19 vaccine.

– To protect infants from getting very ill from RSV, all infants should receive either an RSV vaccine given during pregnancy or an RSV immunization given to infants and some older babies.

– Adults 60 and older can also receive one dose of RSV vaccine and should consult with their healthcare provider about whether they should receive it.

• Get tested and seek treatment when you are sick. If you become ill, healthcare professionals can prescribe antiviral drugs to treat influenza (Tamiflu) and COVID-19 (Paxlovid). These treatments must be started as soon as possible – within 48 hours of flu symptom onset and five to seven days of developing COVID-19 symptoms.

• Wash your hands thoroughly. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze. Influenza viruses, for instance, spread mainly by droplets when people infected with the flu cough, sneeze or talk.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs are spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

• Stay at home when you’re sick and avoid other people when they’re sick.

• Wear masks to reduce the pathogens you breathe in and to protect others if you’re sick. Masks have varied effectiveness against different viruses.

• Improve airflow and ventilation by bringing in as much fresh air as possible and filtering air with a portable air cleaner, turning on exhaust fans or choosing outdoor options.

• Disinfect surfaces at home, work or school that are touched frequently, especially when someone is sick. At work, frequently touched objects may include doorknobs, keyboards and phones. Make sure your school and workplace have an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disposable wipes.

• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, engage in regular physical activity, manage stress levels, drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy food.

New COVID-19 variant

The latest variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is JN.1. JN.1 was first detected in September and made up more than 44 percent of cases in the United States for the week ending on Dec. 23, the CDC reported.