The Evening Sun | Chenango County Health: Preventing Winter Respiratory Diseases

CHENANGO

COUNTY

–

Common

colds,

flu,

and

RSV

are

more

common

in

colder

months

because

people

spend

more

time

indoors,

making

it

easier

for

viruses

to

spread.

When

one

person

in

a

household

is

sick,

everyone

else

is

at

increased

risk.

In

the

2024–25

respiratory

virus

season,

the

CDC

(Centers

for

Disease

Control

and

Prevention)

reported

about

40

million

flu

cases,

470,000

hospitalizations,

and

an

estimated

28,000

deaths.

The

season

also

saw

280

pediatric

deaths,

the

highest

since

child

flu

deaths

became

reportable.

Young

children,

older

adults,

and

people

with

chronic

health

conditions

are

more

likely

to

develop

severe

illnesses

or

complications.

To

stay

healthy

this

winter,

get

vaccinated.

Everyone

6

months

and

older

should

get

a

flu

vaccine,

and

a

COVID

booster

is

especially

important

for

older

adults,

pregnant

people,

and

anyone

with

chronic

conditions

such

as

asthma,

COPD,

diabetes,

heart

disease,

or

weakened

immune

systems.

Vaccination

can

also

reduce

the

severity

of

illness.

Take

simple

steps

to

reduce

spread:

Stay

home

when

sick

until

you’re

improving

and

fever-free

for

24

hours

without

medication.

Wash

hands

frequently

and

thoroughly.

Cover

coughs

and

sneezes

with

a

tissue

or

cough

into

your

elbow.

Wear

a

mask

to

protect

others

if

you’re

sick,

or

to

protect

yourself

in

higher-risk

settings.

Avoid

touching

your

eyes,

nose,

and

mouth.

Clean

frequently

touched

surfaces.

Improve

indoor

air

quality

by

opening

windows,

using

air

purifiers,

or

spending

time

outdoors

when

possible.

Get

tested

for

flu

and

COVID

if

you

develop

symptoms,

especially

if

you’re

high-risk—antivirals

work

best

within

the

first

2–3

days.

Remember,

people

with

the

flu

can

spread

it

two

days

before

symptoms

start

and

for

about

five

days

after

becoming

ill.

Wearing

a

mask

and

taking

precautions

helps

protect

your

family,

coworkers,

and

community.

Vaccinations

for

influenza,

COVID,

RSV,

pneumococcal

disease,

and

pertussis

are

key

tools

for

preventing

severe

illness.

Stay

healthy

and

happy

this

season.

For

more

information

visit:

www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/respiratory_viruses/

www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/index.html

www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/winter-illness-guide

Persons

with

questions

or

requiring

additional

information

may

contact

the

Chenango

County

Health

Department

at

(607)

337-1660.

–

Information

from

the

Chenango

County

Health

Department