As the days continue to grow colder illness becomes more and more prevalent. Officials said COVID-19 rates have been low since a summer flare-up, but this year’s flu is still hanging around and is responsible for killing thousands of people each year.
Family physician Craig Burrows, an MD with Morehead Primary Care said people can help mitigate illness with basic procedures like washing hands, staying away from sick people, being up to date on vaccines, and wearing a mask when sick. Burrows said there does come a time when it’s important to seek help.
“If you know you have been exposed to the flu or covid, if you have a high fever and are short of breath and cough etc.,” said Burrows. “There are potential for treatments that are most effective when given early on in the course. And of course, if you are very ill and not able to breathe, I would seek care, fairly quickly at that point.”
He added that common viruses like the flu can be different every year from place to place but notes he hasn’t seen any higher numbers or worsening of the common illness this year. He said the flu vaccines are recommended for everyone after the age of 6 months and are nothing to be scared of.
“So, each of the vaccines that we use for the flu or for covid, your body develops an immune response to the vaccine,” said Burrows. “So, some people, for the first 24 to 48 hours, may feel a slight malaise or weakness, maybe some pain at the site of the injection, but you cannot get the flu and you cannot get COVID from the vaccines,” said Burrows.
He added that each time a new booster vaccine for COVID comes out, it’s based on the most recent changes in the viruses to help adapt the body’s immune system.
He said when people think they are sick with any kind of infection it’s best to visit a licensed care provider to be tested and see about eligibility for medicines that can help lead to a faster, stronger recovery.