Preparing for Respiratory Season

Most people know the term “flu season,” but what about respiratory season? Per Dane Schultz, DNP, APNP, this is the time frame when viruses tend to linger and spread. Typically, the season begins in early September and lasts until late March or early April.

Here, Schultz provides helpful information about respiratory season and how individuals can best prepare.

Virus Symptoms and Duration

Three common afflictions that can affect the respiratory system are influenza (A and B), RSV, and COVID-19. The symptoms present similarly, including fevers, chills, body aches, night sweats, cough, and runny nose. Typically, symptoms are worse for the elderly population, particularly if individuals have other comorbidities.

“When the body is trying to help and heal itself in turn with other chronic conditions, the immune system is not as up to the strength it could be if the body was in its normal healthy state,” states Schultz. “That’s where getting your influenza vaccine, getting your COVID vaccine, can definitely help decrease any potential hospitalization or adverse outcome that might occur if you were to contract one of those illnesses.”

Vaccines work to build up antibodies to the virus at hand, so if a person contracts it, the vaccine lessens how severe symptoms become and allows a faster road to recovery—which generally takes about 10-14 days to fully run its course.

Strategies to Mitigate Symptoms and Speed Recovery

If you come down with a virus, Schultz recommends drinking plenty of fluids—about 100 ounces per day—as well as upping fruit and vegetable intake and getting at least eight hours of sleep each night. He does advise against too much daytime napping.

“We want you up, moving, keeping the blood flowing. That will get the immune system cells where they need to go to help fight off the infection,” he notes.

Schultz also advises starting with home care and allowing the virus to run its course, holding off making an appointment with your primary care provider. That is, of course, unless symptoms are debilitating or last longer than the 10-14 days.

“Antibiotics are something we don’t usually consider unless you’re beyond that 10- to 14-day mark, depending on what your symptoms are,” he adds. “Now, if your symptoms are worse sooner than that, definitely reach out and let us know. But, with the extra stress and strain that comes on the healthcare system in the fall, that’s a guideline we usually have patients follow.”

There are medications that can be helpful in easing symptoms, such as Tamiflu for influenza and Paxlovid for COVID-19. Paxlovid needs be given under the advisement of a medical provider, as it can have medication interactions—specifically with certain mental health and cholesterol medications.

“We also have to make sure your kidney function is adequate as well. So, we have to run through your medication list, make sure your labs are within a reasonable timeframe in order for us to safely prescribe if for you,” explains Schultz. “We want you to get better from the COVID illness, but we also want to be safe about the medication we’re prescribing for you.”