Staying healthy all season long: Tips for combatting respiratory viruses
Parkland Health experts share advice for avoiding illness this winter
Winter roared this month, bringing along snow, cold weather and a higher likelihood of catching a respiratory virus. Whether it’s a common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or the flu, there are plenty of germs floating around. However, there are steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy all season long.
“Flu season doesn’t really peak until the middle of February, and we don’t typically see a decline in cases until March, so there are still several months of flu season ahead of us. However, the flu shot is close to 90% effective and the best way to stay healthy and avoid severe illness or hospitalization this year,” said Joseph Chang, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Parkland Health.
With flu season carrying well into spring, there is still time to get vaccinated, as Texas often sees the highest volume of flu activity in February, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The flu vaccine is recommended annually for anyone 6 months and older, including pregnant women.
“The flu isn’t just a common cold; often, it can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, asthma attacks and even death,” said Cesar Termulo, MD, Associate Medical Director for Parkland’s network of Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC) health centers. “Young children are especially at risk for severe illness, including high fevers that can trigger seizures. Last year, over 200 children died from the flu, so it’s more than just a runny nose and cough.”
Parkland makes it easy to get your flu shot. Patients of all ages can visit Parkland’s COPCs for a flu shot at no cost with most insurances (restrictions may apply). To avoid waiting, Wednesdays are recommended. During Walk-In Wednesdays, a staff dedicated solely to providing flu shots is available from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m.
Along with getting vaccinated, there are plenty of other precautions you can take to stay well this winter. “The biggest thing you can do to stay healthy is to get your flu shot, but it’s also important to make sure you’re staying hydrated, eating good nutrition, avoiding large gatherings and people who are sick, and of course practicing consistent handwashing,” Dr. Termulo said.
For protection against severe RSV, vaccines are available to adults 60 and older, as well as pregnant women between 32-36 weeks gestation to protect their infants after birth. Additionally, infants born to mothers who did not receive a maternal RSV vaccine are eligible for a monoclonal antibody injection that protects against the virus.
For more information about Parkland services, visit parklandhealth.org/your-team. To learn more about the flu and where to get your shot, visit parklandhealth.org/flu.
For more information about Parkland, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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