How to protect yourself this flu and cold season
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The sound of sneezes, sniffles and coughs is back in the air — and health experts say it's time to protect yourself and others as virus season kicks into gear.
State of play: Baylor College of Medicine assistant professor of family and community medicine Mike Ren shares prevention tips:
- Get vaccinated as the flu, COVID and RSV shots can prevent severe illness.
- Boost your immunity by taking vitamin C, zinc or B12, and get enough sleep.
- Stay hygienic and wash your hands for 20 seconds, avoid touching your face and sanitize often.
- Mask up, especially on planes or in crowded spaces.
Driving the news: Flu activity in Houston typically rises in October or November and peaks between December and February.
What they're saying: "A lot of these illnesses, viral or bacterial, are transmitted through respiratory droplets," Ren said in a statement.
- "Someone can cough near you, or their saliva can get on a door handle they touch. This is why washing and sanitizing your hands is important."
- "If you are on a plane, a person next to you could be breathing out their germs, and a mask can certainly help."
It can be hard to tell the difference between flu, COVID-19 and RSV, but there are some subtle differences. Wesley Long, a pathologist and medical director of the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory at Houston Methodist, breaks it down:
- Flu: Often hits suddenly with high fever, chills and body aches. "It feels like you've been hit by a truck — very sudden onset," he says.
- RSV: In healthy adults, it can sometimes cause a lingering cough that lasts for weeks.
- COVID-19: Varies widely but can include loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion and fatigue.
Between the lines: The flu vaccine won't make you invincible, but it significantly reduces your risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Annual shots are recommended because immunity wanes and strains evolve, per Long.
- About 1 in 15 Americans is immunosuppressed. "So getting vaccinated is also an act of community care," Long says, adding that there are several flu vaccine options — from the standard shot to FluMist (a nasal spray) and egg-free versions for those with allergies.
The bottom line: If you're sick, stay home — even if that means skipping fun plans.
- "You aren't doing yourself a favor by going to work or school sick. You're actually doing the general public a disservice," Ren said.