Tis the Season for Respiratory Illnesses
It’s that time of the year! Time to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared for the respiratory infections that peak during fall and winter. As always; it is good to exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and get adequate sleep. You can also help your immune system out by giving it a headstart on battling the bugs that you will be breathing into your body by being current on all of your vaccinations.
As with every year we have updated influenza vaccines. There are several different formulations of the influenza vaccine. All of the influenza vaccines this year are “quadrivalent”. Each year scientists pick the 3 or 4 different virus subtypes or lineages that are most likely to be causing the most illness. This year the vaccines will help your body deal with 4 different influenza virus subtypes.
The relative effectiveness of the influenza vaccines varies each year but in general the vaccines do a good job of lowering your risk of getting really sick. It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older gain protection by being vaccinated against influenza.
New this year are tools to protect us against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). This is a virus that many parents and grandparents know all too well - seeing their children or grandchildren wheezing and gasping for air from the virus. We now know that not just young children can end up being hospitalized or killed from an RSV infection. We have learned that older people are also susceptible to having a severe RSV infection. Just this year a vaccine was approved for people 60 years and older. You can get vaccinated at many of the pharmacies in our area. Currently the RSV vaccine is not available at the Fillmore County Medical Center.
For young children we have 2 different ways we can provide them with protection against RSV. A vaccine is now available for pregnant women to protect their babies against RSV during their first months of life. Multiple medical groups including The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are recommending all receive this vaccine sometime between their 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy. Talk with your obstetric provider about the details of getting your baby protected.
This year we also have for infants a shot that contains antibodies against RSV to prevent severe disease. This monoclonal antibody injection is available for at-risk infants less than 8 months old that are born during or entering their first RSV season and for infants and children aged 8 to 19 months who are at increased risk of severe disease entering their second RSV season. Supply of this immunization is limited at this time. Make an appointment with your child’s primary care provider if you have any questions.
The COVID-19 vaccines have been updated this fall to help your body battle the current virus lineages that are most common. Everyone 6 months of age and older may receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Mothers can also protect their babies in their first months of life by getting vaccinated during pregnancy.
There are 3 different updated COVID-19 vaccines available. Anyone can get vaccinated with any of the updated COVID-19 vaccines regardless of which vaccine that they have previously received - or if it is their first COVID-19 vaccination.The updated COVID-19 vaccines are not currently available at the Fillmore Medical Center, however you can get vaccinated at most area pharmacies.
"Tis the Season for Respiratory Illnesses"
Supplemental Information:
Russ Coash, PA-C 11-15-2023
All statements in this article should be attributed to myself, not any organization I represent or my employer. This article presents a medical perspective - not a statement intended to be for or against any public policy or politician.
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