COVID, Cold & Flu Season
It’s COVID, Cold & Flu Season, that time of year when noses run, bodies ache, and people become overwhelmed with a general feeling of blah. The good news is, there’s help. With some common sense and a few tips, you can get well and stay healthy.
The Battle Is On
Each Fall, as the leaves and temperatures drop and winter starts to settle in, we hunker down and prepare to do battle against a host of invisible enemies: Germs and viruses. And the battle has grown. What we used to call Cold and Flu Season has expanded to COVID, Cold and Flu Season. The invisible enemies have added a co-conspirator. Even though COVID is no longer a national health emergency, it is here to stay. It is the new normal, with annual variants that we have a deal with. Just like the flu. And even though the variants aren’t as threatening as the original strain, COVID can still be dangerous, especially for those who are older or immunocompromised. Again, just like the flu. So get ready to battle, and follow us.
Our Advice
While much of this might fall under the category of common sense, it helps to be reminded of what to do. Do everything you can to prepare and prevent ahead of time. Get your vaccines. Wash. Your. Hands. If you still get a bug, just take it easy. No matter how hard you try to ignore or pretend you don’t have the viruses, they aren’t going away. They have to run their course. If you don’t rest and give your immune system the strength to fight, it just might take even longer.
Get your vaccines
Vaccines are safe and proven effective. They can help prevent you from getting sick, or at least minimize the duration and effects of your illness. To help, manufacturers are now creating a combined COVID and flu vaccine.
Stay home
If you don’t feel well, help yourself and protect others by staying home. Curl up under a blanket. Drink some tea. Take a nap. You’ll feel better, and your coworkers and friends will thank you for not sharing your germs.
Keep it clean
Good hygiene is always a good practice, but it’s especially true when you’re sick. Cover your cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often. Clean commonly touches surfaces. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Go over the counter
Numerous over-the-counter medicines exist that can help ease the symptoms of COVID, colds, and flus, from fever reducers to nausea medicine to pain relievers to help with body aches. Identify your symptoms and then search the pharmacy shelves.
See your doctor
If your symptoms don’t improve within a week, schedule a visit (or video call) with your doctor, who may prescribe antiviral medicines or something stronger than OTC options. Only you know when you’ve reached that point.
Protect others
Nobody likes isolating. Nobody likes not being able to socialize. Certainly nobody likes wearing masks. But nobody also likes knowing they were the one who got someone else sick, especially if that person is vulnerable. Think of others. There will always be another party of family gathering.
Where to go for more help
The Northern Kentucky Health Department has four health centers – one in each of the four counties we cover – that serve the underserved population. We offer the flu vaccine to those who are uninsured or have Medicaid. We only offer COVID vaccines to those who are uninsured.
We recommend those with insurance contact their primary care physician or local pharmacy to request the vaccines.
More Flu Facts
Not feeling well? You may not be alone. We track flu activity in the region each year, and have a page with more answers to your questions, including:
Flu Information and Vaccination Locator
A Guide for Parents (Spanish)
No More Excuses: You Need a Flu Vaccine (Spanish)
People 65 Years and Older Need a Flu Shot (Spanish)
Pregnant? You Need a Flu Shot (Spanish)
What You Should Know About Influenza (flu) Antiviral Drugs (Spanish)
Take 3 Actions to Fight Flu
That’s a
Good
Question
Do I have COVID or the flu?
COVID and the flu have similar symptoms, and the only way to tell for sure which one you have is by taking an at-home COVID test. There is no at-home test for flu. Your primary care doctor can also test for both in the office. Learn more about the similarities and differences between COVID and flu.
Is COVID still dangerous?
Yes. COVID is still very much a health threat, particularly among the elderly and people who are immunocompromised, the same way the flu is–and people die from the flu each year. But, unlike the flu, COVID also carries with it the chance of lingering “long COVID” symptoms, such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, brain fog, joint pain, and ongoing loss of taste and smell.
What if I am exposed to someone with COVID?
We are following the Kentucky Department of Health’s recommendations, which are to 1) Take a test or seek treatment; 2) Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after your symptoms are getting better AND your fever has ended (without using fever-reducing medication); 3) Take precautions for 5 additional days. People who desire further protection may consider additional strategies, such as wearing a well-fitting mask, physical distancing, or testing.
Where can I get a COVID test?
At-home tests must now by purchased online, in pharmacies, or at retail stores. (Private health insurance may reimburse the costs of purchasing self-tests.) Community-based testing locations, such as pharmacies, may offer tests. What you need to know about at-home COVID tests.
When do I take a COVID test?
At-home COVID tests are an easy and convenient way of determining if you have COVID so you can act to prevent its spreading. Follow this chart to learn more.
What can I do to prevent or treat COVID?
The ongoing effort to study and understand COVID has led to both treatment methods for those who are infected, as well as pre-exposure measures to prevent contracting the infection, which includes vaccines. Learn more about treating and preventing COVID.
Are vaccines really safe?
Yes. Flu vaccines have been given to hundreds of millions of people for more than 50 years, and more than 672 million COVID vaccines have been given out. The standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness are the most intense in history. Learn more about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
Where can I get a vaccine?
We are recommending those with insurance contact their primary care physician or local pharmacy to request both COVID and flu vaccines.
If I get a vaccine, can I still get COVID or the flu?
Maybe. You may have contracted a different variant or have flu-like symptoms from a non-flu virus. You may have even been exposed after your shot but before it became fully effective. It takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection. But people with vaccines are only half as likely to end up in the hospital or experience serious consequences from being sick.
Top 10 things you should sanitize immediately
1. Your cell phone (and desk phone, if you have one)
2. Your keyboard and mouse
3. Doorknobs and light switch plates
4. The kitchen counter (and faucets)
5. Stuffed animals, pillows, and blankets
6. Stairwell handrails
7. TV remotes
8. The bathroom (faucets, toilet flush handles, counters)
9. Car steering wheel
10. Your keys
