RSV — FLU — COVID
We are in the thick of the cold and flu season — if you are not vaccinated against the flu or up to date on the COVID booster, consider getting those as they can still be helpful. If you are over 60, you are also eligible for the RSV vaccine (helps protect against the respiratory syncytial virus that causes the common cold and can cause more severe illness in those susceptible). The RSV vaccine is covered by Medicare for those 65 years of age and older. All of these vaccines are available in our local pharmacies.
Typical cold and flu symptoms include sore throat, fever, chills, body aches, runny nose, cough, sneezing and headaches. Severe symptoms can include shortness of breath and wheezing.
If you have any cold and flu symptoms I do recommend testing for Covid with a home testing kit; if the first test is negative, I recommend to test again the next day. He could be tested for influenza and RSV by swabbing the nasopharynx in a doctor’s office.
The usual approaches rest, hydration, and symptom treatment with over-the-counter remedies.
There are targeted treatment options for influenza and Covid. If you test positive for influenza, we have an antiviral named Tamiflu. If you test positive for Covid, we have an antiviral named Paxlovid. Both of these medications have been shown to decrease severity of illness and decrease hospitalization rates. There is no antiviral available for RSV infections.
Following are 3 different links to the Mayo Clinic website to find out more information on these three viruses: RSV, FLU, COVID. (please make these highlighted as the links — sorry I do not know how to do that)
FLU link — https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
COVID link — https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963
Please call our office if you need any help.
