Experts are warning of a possible holiday surge in respiratory illness, including RSV, COVID and the flu.
Gounder said it's not too late to get a flu or COVID vaccine before the holidays, as well as an RSV shot for those eligible.
"There are three tools, really, here available," Gounder said, including a monoclonal antibody that can be given to infants under the age of 6 months and a second monoclonal antibody that can be given to infants who are 8-19 months old.
RSV can start out as what seems like a common cold with sniffles and a cough, Gounder said. But RSV and other respiratory illnesses like COVID can go into the lungs and cause pneumonia.
Another way to prevent illness is to improve air ventilation indoors. Try opening doors and windows when it's possible, Gounder said, or purchasing an air filtration unit.
If you do get sick, wearing a mask in public can help avoid spreading illness to others. The U.S. government is also offering another round of free COVID tests for every household, so ordering those and taking one if you're feeling under the weather.
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