Christmas: How to avoid getting sick during these holidays

Another Christmas season. A new wave of highly contagious respiratory viruses threatens to derail our holiday plans.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are on the rise, influenza is spreading widely, and COVID-19 (which is sending more and more people to emergency rooms) has confirmed Spain’s recent Cases surge at university. Unlike a few years ago, when the coronavirus caused everyone to cancel Christmas plans, experts say such measures are not necessary (for most people). But it’s still smart to take precautions to protect yourself, your guests, and your family.

“There are things we can do this winter to minimize illness and disruption and make the most of time with our families. That’s what the holidays are all about,” said Caitlin Jay, epidemiologist and scientific advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trina said.disease in the United States and other institutions, he wrote on his blog your local epidemiologist.

Half of Americans plan to take protective measures against the virus this holiday season, according to a survey by the nonprofit KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation). Some people worry about getting sick; Others want to avoid spreading the disease to loved ones, since respiratory infections can easily spread through an infected person’s nose or mouth.

Jessica Tuan, an infectious disease physician at Yale School of Medicine, said: “There’s no question that everyone should take precautions, but certain groups of people (elderly people, young children, immunocompromised people) are more susceptible. Impact.” (United States); “You should be especially careful if you are going to come into contact with these people.”

This year, for the first time, vaccines against these three circulating respiratory diseases are available to susceptible populations.

“Are they perfect for not getting infected? Maybe not, but they can prevent you from getting severe disease, and that’s the goal,” said Jill Weatherhead, an infectious disease physician at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the RSV vaccine for use in adults over 60 years of age and in pregnant women (to protect newborns). In Spain, everyone born between October 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 will be vaccinated, and for adults, the government is still working out how to fund the treatment. Flu vaccines have been available for many years.

Meanwhile, in the United States, only 16% of people have opted for the latest COVID-19 vaccine, including only a third of the at-risk elderly population. In Spain, the government recommends that the target group for the 2023-2024 season combine influenza vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine.

The good news: Weatherhead says it’s not too late to get these vaccines to protect yourself during the holidays; plus, you can get two or even all three vaccines at the same time.

High-tech interventions like negative pressure rooms, HEPA air filters and N95 masks have overshadowed basic advice like hand-washing during the coronavirus pandemic, Tuan said, but it’s still smart to focus on the basics.

Researchers reported last year that every time you wash your hands with soap, you reduce your chances of contracting a respiratory virus by 3 percent. Washing your hands also reduces the chance of spreading unknown germs from touching common surfaces like doorknobs and light switches.

Regular cleaning of surfaces with bleach or hydrogen peroxide can also successfully reduce infectious bacteria, scientists reported after testing various types of cleaners. First, you must clean the surface with water and detergent. Strong viruses require exposure to disinfectants for a minute or more, so don’t remove cleaning products too early. When celebrating a gathering, it can also be helpful to open the windows, weather permitting.

It’s also wise to keep your distance from other people as much as possible. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were told to stay two meters away from others, a concept known as “social distancing.” Two meters is about the distance many virus-carrying particles travel from the mouth when a person sneezes or coughs before they hit the ground.

Over time, public health experts realized that, like the flu, the coronavirus was emitted in smaller particles called aerosols that spread farther. It turns out that an infected person doesn’t need to cough or sneeze to spread the germs; normal breathing can also spread the virus.

Giving others leeway can help you avoid their highest concentration of germs, especially when they cough or sneeze, Weatherhead says. Plus, it’s easy to take a step back from the checkout line when shopping for holiday gifts or party food. “Small measures like physical distancing cost nothing,” he said.

Jetlina said whether to wear a mask is a personal decision that depends on each person’s risk level and risk tolerance. According to the KFF survey, nearly one-third of people plan to wear masks in crowded places during these holidays. This approach works: A well-fitting N95 mask can protect against a variety of respiratory illnesses. They can also protect others by reducing the particles you emit into the air by up to 90%.

People at high risk for severe respiratory infections, such as people who take immunosuppressive medications or have severe lung disease, have been wearing masks for years. Weatherhead said everyone else seems to be wearing masks occasionally, which is fine.

When traveling, Jetlina wears her mask in airports and on planes until the wheels come up; then you can take it off, as the plane’s high-quality filtration system prevents the widespread spread of germs.

Wearing a mask at critical moments can also ensure the fun of the festival. If family is coming over for Christmas or you have a long trip planned, wearing a mask a week or so beforehand will increase your chances of staying healthy during that time.

As for pre-party at-home COVID-19 antigen testing, two tests taken 48 hours apart could only detect 39% of patients if they were asymptomatic. Jetlina said low testing rates and the low cost of testing meant she no longer had routine smear tests before large family gatherings. However, this may change your calculations if you plan to host someone who is at high risk for problems.

You should get tested when you have symptoms, as 92% of people in this group test positive when tested twice 48 hours apart.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us took a cavalier attitude toward respiratory viruses, assuming they could not be stopped. Weatherhead said too many people ignore the symptoms and go to work or attend parties. Hopefully this has changed.

“I think we have a better understanding of what we can do to prevent this disease and what we can’t do,” he said. “We all need to do everything we can to keep everyone in our community safe.”