Flu & COVID-19 Prevention

Flu season is coming. Here's how to protect yourself.

Today, simple steps to prevent flu and COVID — made for adults sixty-five and older.

So why does this matter so much after sixty-five? As we get older, our bodies fight off viruses more slowly. That means flu and COVID can hit harder, and last longer. Sometimes they lead to a serious lung infection called pneumonia. The good news? A few simple steps can lower your risk a lot.

The single best protection? Vaccines. They teach your body to fight back fast.

Here's the plan. Get a flu shot every year. Stay up to date on your COVID shots, as your provider advises. And ask your provider about two more — the pneumonia vaccine, and the R-S-V vaccine. I won't give you a schedule here, because the right vaccines, and the right timing, differ for each person. So ask your provider which ones are right for you.

Vaccines work best alongside everyday habits. Wash your hands often, with soap. Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow. When a lot of people around you are getting sick, try to avoid crowds. Think about wearing a mask in busy indoor places, or when you feel unwell. And if you do get sick, stay home and rest.

Now, know the early signs, so you can act fast. Watch for a fever, chills, or aching all over. A cough, or a sore throat. You might lose your sense of taste or smell. Or you might just feel very tired. If a few of these show up together, it's time to pay attention.

Here's the most important part. Call your provider EARLY — within the first day or two of symptoms — because antiviral treatment works best when started quickly. So don't wait it out. Make the call.

But some signs are an emergency. Trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, bluish lips or face, or new confusion — call 911. Don't drive yourself, and don't wait to see if it passes. These are emergencies.

A helpful tip — have a plan ready before you get sick. Your provider's number, a home test, your medicine list, and someone who can check on you.

So remember three things. Vaccinate. Prevent. And act early.

Flu and COVID can lead to pneumonia. Next — how to spot pneumonia early. Watch now.