Respiratory illnesses COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza continue to circulate in our community, especially at increased rates during the winter months. People should understand how best to protect themselves and what to do when they experience symptoms.
Here are Few Simple Strategies to Best Protect Yourself
- Get an annual COVID-19 and Flu shot. These vaccines are available at providers, pharmacies, and clinics. BCHD will be providing COVID, Flu, and RSV vaccines along with all other immunization services. BCHD has a very limited supply of RSV monoclonal antibody immunization.
- If you develop COVID or other Respiratory Virus symptoms:
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- CDC recommends isolating at home and away from others for 24 hours. If fever is present, it has to be gone for 24 hours (and without use of a fever reducing medication). After isolation period, wear a mask around other people for 5 days for the best protection of others.
- Improve ventilation in your home (tips here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/Improving-Ventilation-Home.html)
- Get a COVID test. We offer free at-home tests or you can order free at-home tests here: https://www.covid.gov/tests
- Call your Doctor or Healthcare Provider– if you are positive for COVID, they can provide medications to treat you and if you are negative they can help determine what virus you may have (like the flu or RSV) and can also provide medications to treat you.
Flu & RSV
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- CDC recommends that persons who have the flu should isolate at home and away from others until 24 hours have passed since a fever has resolved without using fever reducing medications.
For more information on respiratory illnesses visit: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/index.html
