(BPT) - Winter can mean cozy moments and festive cheer, but it can mean respiratory illnesses, like flu, RSV and COVID-19, are circulating, too. If you're feeling sick, especially if you're at higher risk for serious illness, getting health care promptly is important, since timely treatment can reduce your risk of complications. Here's a practical guide to help you navigate prevention, testing and treatment.
Know your risk
While anyone can get sick, some people are at higher risk of having complications or getting very sick, including:
- Adults 65 years and older
- People with underlying health conditions, like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease
- People with weakened immune systems
- Pregnant women
- Children younger than 2
If you're at higher risk and start to feel sick, getting care quickly can help reduce your chances of potentially serious complications.
Watch for symptoms and get treatment early
Watch for symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue or sore throat. Get emergency care right away if you experience any warning signs, like trouble breathing or chest pain.
If you feel sick and are at a higher risk for serious illness, don't wait - get timely treatment to help feel better sooner and protect those around you. Here's what to know:
- Testing: At-home tests and community-based testing are available. Tests may be available for free or for low-cost. Some tests check for multiple viruses at once, like for flu and COVID-19.
- Treatment: Antiviral medications may be prescribed by your doctor but work best if taken early - within 2 days of symptoms for flu and 5-7 days for COVID-19.
Prevent the spread
If you're feeling under the weather, take steps to stop the spread:
- Stay home and away from others until you're fever-free for at least 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medicines) and your other symptoms have improved.
- Then take added precautions for the next five days, like covering your coughs and sneezes and washing your hands often with soap and water. Additional precautions, like avoiding crowded spaces or visiting people who are at higher risk, can be important, too.
Breathe easier all season long. Visit cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses or talk to your healthcare provider to learn more.
