Three’s a Crowd…What to Know this Flu, COVID, & RSV Season
In upstate New York, the colder months usually bring a spike in viral illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. As we barrel towards the thick of winter, there are things you can do to keep you and your family healthy.
Can I still get my flu shot in January?
It’s never too late to get your flu shot, if you haven’t already.
We’re having a very active RSV and flu season with more cases than we’ve seen in the last few years. As severe cases rise among young children and older adults, we must remember to get vaccines and boosters when possible.
“We strongly encourage people to get annual flu shots, COVID boosters and the RSV vaccine if eligible. Despite potential feelings of vaccine fatigue, our community members should resume normal practices of getting flu vaccines every year,” said Dr. Branche.
Do we need to worry about COVID?
Cases of COVID-19 continue to circulate throughout our community. The most recent strain, Omicron JN.1, behaves similarly to previous COVID-19 strains in its contagious nature.
Be sure to get boosted for COVID-19 if you are due. If you recently had COVID-19, the CDC says to consider waiting three months before getting the COVID booster.
If you are feeling ill from COVID-19, there are options for symptom relief.
“Call your primary care physician to discuss Paxlovid or molnupiravir. Both medications are more widely available than they once were,” said Dr. Branche.
Dr. David Dobrzynski, an infectious disease expert with UR Medicine, answers questions you may have about vaccines, symptoms, and more.
Can I get all three vaccines at the same time?
If you’re eligible for all three vaccines—COVID, flu, and RSV—you may wonder whether to get them all at once or space them out. The answer depends on you!
While it is safe to do so, some people might feel unwell after receiving more than one vaccine at once. Dr. Dobrzynski recommends speaking to your primary care doctor for a recommendation on whether to get more than one vaccine at the same time.
Common question: Does the flu shot cover RSV?
No. Each vaccine only protects against its respective virus. A flu shot will not protect COVID-19 or RSV; and so on. For the best protection, get each vaccine or booster that you're eligible for.
What's the difference between RSV, flu, and COVID symptoms?
The symptoms of all three illnesses are quite similar, making many ask: Is it COVID, flu, or RSV? In the video below, Dr. Dobrzynski calls out a few symptoms that might differ between each illness.
If you have symptoms, what should you do?
If you come down with symptoms of flu, COVID-19, or RSV, the most important thing to remember is to avoid close contact with others and stay away from gatherings.
Can you be sick with all three illnesses at once?
Talk about uninvited…Is it possible to have influenza, COVID-19, and RSV all at the same time? Dr. Dobrzynski digs into the answer to this.
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