Advice for the Fall Season

“Fall is here! Which means changing leaves, Halloween, and most importantly, respiratory viruses are more in circulation. There are over 200 respiratory viruses, and most cause minor upper respiratory tract symptoms. This year, however, Influenza, especially the A3 strain, promises to be more virulent and cause more severe infections. COVID continues to linger with the new mutated strain, EG.5, named after Eris, the Greek goddess of discord and strife. Luckily, it does not appear to cause more severe disease. The most potentially harmful virus is RSV or Respiratory Syncitial Virus. This one is more lethal to infants, those over 60, and those with chronic diseases compromising their immune systems. There are effective vaccines for all three viruses. Remember that it takes 3-to-6 weeks to build enough antibodies to help with warding off these bugs, so the sooner you are vaccinated the sooner your immune cells can get to work to protect you. It is important to remember that you may still get infected after receiving a vaccine, however you are more likely to have mild disease and less likely to be hospitalized or die. Masking is still effective, but when the mask is saturated with moist, exhaled air, it is no longer an effective filter and must be replaced. Again, hand hygiene is always helpful as well as limiting crowd exposure. If you are feeling sick, remember to stay home, rest, drink warm broth, and use sugar free lozenges to soothe irritated throats. Other over the counter (OTC) cold remedies contain dyes, sugars, and alcohol, which are empty calories and can be harmful or even useless. Nasal congestion can be temporarily reduced by Oxymetolazine (brand name: Afrin) nasal spray, which is sold OTC, though prolonged use can damage the delicate nasal mucus membranes. Alternatives include plain salt water, Saline, and nasal lavages, which can be soothing. A tiny amount of menthol ointment (Vicks) placed at the tip of your nose can relieve stuffiness especially at night, though be careful not to rub too much of it around your nostrils. Follow these tips for an infection free Autumn!”