Originally Published by CBS News
It may still feel like summer, but the fall is quickly approaching — along with the risk of seasonal viruses.
On “CBS Mornings” Monday, Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, shared what you need to know about protecting yourself from COVID-19, the respiratory illness RSV and the flu — three infections that raised concerns last winter about the threat of a “tripledemic.”
The recommendations are especially important for those at high risk, including people who are elderly, pregnant or have chronic health conditions.
Here’s what you need to know:
Is there an RSV vaccine?
There are a few prevention tools for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, an illness that typically causes cold-like symptoms but can sometimes be severe, especially for infants and older adults.
Do I need a COVID booster?
“We have seen a 10% increase in hospitalizations over the last few weeks, but 10% of a very small number is still a very small number,” Gounder says. As summer comes to a close, there’s concern that cases could rise more sharply in the fall and winter.
When should I get the flu shot?
Because of the lingering effects social distancing and masking has had on shifting timelines, experts predict flu season will start a bit early again this year, Gounder says, so don’t wait too long to get your flu shot.
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