Nov 28, 2023 By Karen Mansfield 3 min read

‘Tis the season for celebrating the holidays, friends and family – and, unfortunately, for spreading germs.

Doctors are anticipating an increase in a trifecta of viral infections: COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

“We’re going to start seeing more get-togethers, people celebrating,” said Dr. Thomas Corkery, Chief Medical Officer of AHN Canonsburg Hospital, noting those celebrations can lead to a bump in holiday illnesses.

Across the U.S., RSV cases are rising, particularly among young children; COVID-19 and influenza cases have increased, and emergency department visits are up, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the coming weeks after Thanksgiving, the trio of viral infections could see a bigger spike, and the Western Pennsylvania Regional CMO Consortium is urging people to take preventative steps to stay healthy.

“For the most part, go ahead and live your life, but take reasonable precautions,” said Corkery.

The most important of those precautions is vaccines.

Vaccines for all three illnesses are now available. That includes the COVID vaccine booster that is being recommended for people over 65 or those with comorbidities.

A new vaccine for RSV is available, too, for infants, women in their third trimester of pregnancy, and adults over 60.

“Get vaccinated now,” the consortium said in a recent press release. “These vaccines prepare you better to fight off these viruses. Get these vaccines now or as soon as you are able.”

Respiratory viruses share similar symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue.

For people at higher risk for more serious illness due to age or health issues, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recommended to visit a health care provider and get tested early to be eligible for antiviral medications, which are available for COVID-19, flu, and RSV. The medications ease symptoms, shorten the length of a viral infection, and reduce the risk of serious outcomes.

Along with those measures, local health experts are recommending simple prevention steps, including washing your hands.

Corkery noted that washing hands or using hand sanitizers is especially useful before and after visiting public spaces such as grocery stores, where people might be coughing and touching grocery carts.

And for those who are at high risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses, it’s smart to wear a mask in public spaces.

Health experts urge people who experience symptoms of a respiratory illness to take them seriously. Corkery suggests getting tested for COVID because of its infectiousness.

And for people with symptoms of COVID, flu or RSV, try to stay home and away from people.

“If you’re ill, you should segregate yourself as much as you can,” said Corkery.