Tis the Season for Flu, RSV, and COVID
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Tis the Season for Flu, RSV, and COVID

Vaccination Season is Here

While seasonal flu, COVID, and respiratory infection levels are currently low to moderate nationwide, medical experts expect them to increase in the coming weeks, thanks to holiday gatherings, travel, and simply spending more time indoors.

This is why NOW is the time to get vaccinated. 

According to the CDC, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States every year. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is that you can protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses by getting vaccinated.

Vaccines are currently available at many pharmacies and through your healthcare provider’s office. A simple shot provides the necessary antibodies to fight off infection or make it less severe.

 

Here’s a look at the current Fall and Winter Immunization recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines

  • ​Everyone 6 months and older

RSV Immunization to Protect Babies

  • Vaccine | Pregnant parents during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy during RSV season

  • Monoclonal Antibodies | Babies entering or born during RSV season

RSV Vaccine for Older Adults 

  • People ages 60 and over at high risk of severe RSV

  • Everyone ages 75 and older

  • Currently, older adults only need to get the RSV vaccine once; not annually

 

A Word About Bird Flu

Over the past eight months, 58 cases of H5N1 bird flu, a type of avian influenza, have been confirmed in the U.S. While H5N1 is considered a dangerous pathogen, with a case fatality rate of around 50%, none of the infected Americans has required hospitalization. The majority of those infected work in close contact with dairy cattle and poultry flocks with infection likely occurring by the virus entering a person's eyes, nose, or mouth, or being inhaled.

Even though the virus can be passed from mammal to mammal, there currently is no evidence of human-to-human contamination. However, recent research from the National Institutes of Health found the H5N1 bird flu virus could be just one mutation away from being able to spread amongst humans.

While there’s no need to panic, it is important to stay current on any news and alerts related to bird flu. For the latest information and recommendations regarding bird flu from the CDC, click here.

In addition, the CDC recommends the following to avoid infection:

  • Avoid consuming or coming into contact with unpasteurized dairy products.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water after handling wild birds, poultry, and livestock. 

  • Get tested if you develop flu-like symptoms.

  • Stay home when sick, especially with fever and cough.

  • Get your seasonal flu vaccine.

 

Dr. Marie George, MD is an Infectious Disease Specialist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT, and a member of the Travel Clinic team at the hospital.

Print
1752

Theme picker


 

 

 

Six Questions with the Medical Director of SVMC Orthopedics

Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer, medical director of orthopedics and orthopedic surgeon, answers six questions about getting orthopedic care right now.

1. What types of patients are you able to treat right now?

We are happy to see patients with all sorts of conditions returning to the practice for care. Patients have heard that the Governor has lifted restrictions for elective procedures, and they are ready to investigate their options for joint pain relief. Plus, the weather is getting nice again, so people are active outside. We've seen an increase in injuries related to outdoor activity, too.


2. Are you seeing patients remotely via telemedicine?

Yes. We offer telemedicine, and we use it a lot. Of course, there are limitations for those that need an X-ray or a physical exam. But telemedicine is a great option for initial visits when we need to collect patients' health history and for follow-ups.


3. How has care in the office changed over the past several months?

Patients will notice that we have gone beyond all of the Centers for Disease Control and Vermont Department of Health recommendations for office visits. All of our staff are wearing masks and shields or goggles, and patients are expected to wear a cloth face covering when they come in. In addition, we are making efforts to limit the number of people in our waiting rooms and office at any one time. For example, part of the check-in process now happens on the phone, instead of in person.


4. How is preparing for a surgery and recovering from a surgery different since COVID-19 became a concern?

Like for office visits, our pre-surgery processes have all been ramped up well beyond the state and national recommendations designed to decrease risk of contracting COVID-19. A few days before the surgery, we test patients for COVID-19 and ask them to self-quarantine until their procedure. The patient arrives to the hospital in their own cloth face covering. Visitors are limited. After the procedure, we provide patients with an app that allows them to note their temperature and any type of respiratory symptoms for a few weeks. If any of the information falls outside the norm, a nurse gives the patient a call. These are all examples of ways we are going beyond our very high infection-prevention standards to ensure safety for patients, their families, and our staff.


5. What would you like to share with people who postponed a joint replacement or other orthopedic care because of COVID-19?

Here in Vermont cases of COVID-19 cases have been relatively low. The Governor has given his approval by lifting restrictions for elective procedures, even those requiring an overnight hospital stay. SVMC started with an exceptionally low rate of hospital-acquired infections and added many extra precautions on top of that. We have the attitude that it is definitely safe to resume care both surgeries and other types of orthopedic care.


6. What are the greatest risks and rewards related to having orthopedic care now?

From our position as one of the safest hospitals in one of the safest states, the risks of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses during a procedure or other care are very low. Many patients know this. They are coming in for their procedures and joint replacements. Many of them will recover and be active again in time to really enjoy this summer. That’s our goal: to help every patient resolve their orthopedic issues so that they can get back to doing the things they love.

Theme picker


Theme picker


Theme picker


Our Services

PARTNERSHIP IS POWERFUL MEDICINE

A commitment to excellence and a patient-centered approach sets Southwestern Vermont Health Care apart.

 Cancer Care
 Orthopedics
 Emergency
 Maternity
 Primary Care
 ExpressCare
 Cardiology
 Rehab & Residential Care
View All Services

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker