It’s Respiratory Virus Season. Here’s How to Stay Safe.
With seasonal flu activity elevated across the country, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is tracking which respiratory viruses are most common and how they are impacting the public’s health.
A new, rapidly-spreading variant of COVID-19, called JN.1, is causing more hospitalizations than other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Last October, about 0.1% of all COVID-19 cases in the country were attributed to JN.1. However, in January 2024, that number rose to about 86%.
CDC data indicates this strain is no more severe than previous ones, and the list of symptoms remains consistent with what they have been for COVID-19 in recent years: fever, chills, coughing, muscle aches, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion, headaches, fatigue and losing one's taste or smell.
The fact remains that every flu virus has the potential to cause serious illness or even hospitalization, especially among unvaccinated persons. Infants, older adults, pregnant people, and people with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of severe disease.
The positive news is that vaccination can help prevent the most serious effects of COVID-19, flu and RSV. However, not enough people are getting vaccinated. Low vaccination rates are of such great concern that the CDC recently issued an alert that the “triple threat” of rising cases could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the weeks ahead.
The CDC reports that only about 11% of children and 21% of adults have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Plus, only 40% of adults age 65 and older, who are at highest risk of severe illness, have received the updated vaccine in the last year.
Vaccination coverage for RSV and the seasonal flu also is low. Less than half the adult population has been vaccinated against the flu for this season and only 15.9% of eligible adults over age 60 have reported receiving an RSV vaccine.
Health experts advise there are effective vaccines, treatments and other preventive actions that can reduce your risk of getting sick. This season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines are well-matched to the viruses that are most common and should offer good protection from severe illness.
People in high-risk categories, such those with chronic diseases or who have compromised immune systems, may also wish to take additional precautions such as wearing masks, avoiding crowded places and frequently washing their hands.
The federal government offers free rapid COVID-19 tests through the mail. Four free tests can be ordered at COVIDTests.gov.
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