With October here, we have entered into respiratory illness season and it’s important to take precautions now to avoid serious illness.
There are three well-known respiratory viruses that spread more during this season as well as common cold viruses:
The new respiratory season began on Oct. 1 and cases of flu, RSV and COVID-19 are likely to begin increasing this month. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s new forecasting site is predicting this upcoming respiratory virus season will have similar numbers as last season, with higher than normal numbers of flu and RSV.
The good news is there are steps you can take to help protect yourself and your loved ones against respiratory viruses.
One of the most effective ways you can protect yourself is to get vaccinated. There are updated vaccines available for all three respiratory virus illnesses for the 2023 to 2024 year.
Call ahead to your health care provider or local pharmacy to ensure they have the flu and latest COVID-19 vaccine in stock. For RSV vaccines for adults, make an appointment with your health care provider.
More ways you can stay healthy this season:
- Stay up to date on vaccinations.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
November – just a few weeks away – marks the beginning of a season many of us look forward to during the year, including the holidays and cooler weather. But November also brings with it the start of something most of us would rather not experience: influenza season.
You can take steps today to protect against the flu and its symptoms, which can be severe for some people. The sooner you get this year’s flu vaccine the better. Everyone 6 months and older who has not been vaccinated recently is eligible for a flu shot. The flu vaccine can prevent you from getting sick but, more importantly, can reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.
In recent years, Arizona has seen more than 900 deaths because of the flu, making it the 11th-leading cause of death in our state. Last year, there were about 7,900 cases between Oct. 1 and the first week of December.
Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue are among the most-common flu symptoms. Those most at risk for severe disease include pregnant women, those 65 and older, and children 5 and younger. Also, at higher risk are people with certain long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
In addition to getting a vaccine for the flu, RSV and COVID-19, it’s also important to take these familiar steps to protect yourself against the spread of these viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve, and immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay at home if you are sick.
Protect yourself and your family this season with the vaccine and get more information about flu in Arizona, including prevention information and data on our website. This influenza season is fast approaching, so it’s important to take precautions now to be protected.
Dr. Eugene Livar is assistant director of Public Health Preparedness at the Arizona Department of Health Services. He leads the division that encompasses the Bureaus of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems; Environmental Health Services; Immunization Services; Infectious Disease and Services; Public Health Emergency Preparedness and State Laboratory Services.
