Expert advice on how to prepare for the fall COVID and flu season

MONDAY, Sept. 16, 2024 (HealthDay News) — People should prepare for the fall cold and flu season by getting updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, an infectious disease expert says.

“When my patients ask me if they should get the COVID vaccine this year, yes, virtually anyone over the age of 6 months, I recommend it,” Dr. Nicholas Turner, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at Duke University, said in an interview with HealthDay. “It’s especially important for anyone who is over the age of 65 or who has an underlying chronic medical condition.”

Three updated COVID vaccines have been approved, all targeting the latest variants.

“I’ve been recommending that my patients get one of the updated vaccines, rather than one of the older ones, because they better protect against the viruses that are currently circulating,” Turner said. “The updated vaccines should already be available.”

COVID tends to appear in two peaks a year, one in late summer and early fall, and another in the winter, Turner said.

The federal government plans to offer another round of free at-home COVID testing by the end of the month, in another step to help Americans prepare for any fall outbreak.

However, Turner says people don’t necessarily need to get tested to see if their colds are COVID.

“I would really ask two simple questions. Is this trial going to change my own treatment? And is this trial going to change what I do with other people?” Turner said.

Paxlovid treatment is available for people at higher risk of severe COVID infection, but these antiviral pills must be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms.

“If people are over 65 or have chronic health conditions that put them at higher risk and could benefit from treatment for their COVID, testing is a good idea because treatments are most effective when given early,” Turner said.

A COVID test could also help people keep other family members or coworkers safe, Turner added.

“If you’re traveling to visit older relatives, if you work in a space that puts you in contact with people who are at higher risk for contracting the disease, or if you’re going to be in an enclosed space with a lot of other people, it’s good to know whether or not you should be isolated,” Turner said.

At-home tests appear to still be able to detect the newer variants, Turner said, but they are not as accurate as tests performed at a medical clinic.

“If people test at home and the result is negative but they still have symptoms, it’s reasonable to repeat the test two days later,” Turner said.

People with confirmed COVID-19 should try to isolate themselves for a day after their symptoms disappear, and then wear a mask for five more days, Turner said.

“We know that different people clear their infection more or less quickly than others. That’s why we’ve now linked it to symptoms,” Turner said. “On average, most people will become noninfectious within 10 days of the onset of illness. For some people who are immunocompromised, that may take a little bit longer. For some people who are healthy and vaccinated, that may take a little bit less time.”

“With all these different viruses, not all of which have good vaccines and not all of which have easy tests, it’s good manners to stay home when you feel sick, or if you must go out, to wear a mask that’s really effective for each and every one of these that we’ve talked about,” Turner added.

People with mild or moderate COVID should generally treat their illness like a cold, Turner said: staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter medications for aches and pains or fever.

That treatment is the same for children as it is for adults, Turner added.

“Kids are pretty similar to adults, so making sure they stay well hydrated and giving them Tylenol to keep them comfortable is a completely good thing,” Turner said.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information on COVID-19.

SOURCE: Nicholas Turner, MD, assistant professor of infectious diseases, Duke University