Page 37 - BusinessWest January 9, 2023

Massachusetts regional medical director at American Family Care, which operates urgent-care clinics in Springfield and West Springfield.
“We know there is a significant amount of COVID fatigue as we enter our third year of the pandemic, but vigilance is still important, both to pro- tect those most at risk of developing complications and to minimize the
“Don’t go out or attend gatherings if you are sick. Take COVID-19 tests if you think you have COVID-19 symptoms. Frequent hand washing can also help prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds and consider
carrying a hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Open windows for ventilation. Practice proper cough etiquette. And, because there is more sickness at this time of
year, refrain from sharing utensils or drinking cups.”
impact on our healthcare system,” he said, noting that area hospitals saw high rates of RSV admissions early in the season.
“We saw a tremendous reduction in flu cases during the height of the pandemic because people were wearing masks and isolating,” Meoli said. “Now that society has opened up again and masks are no longer required in most places, we anticipate the number of flu cases to increase.”
Kenton emphasized that, while flu and RSV might be more prevalent now, COVID hasn’t gone away. According to the CDC, about 350 people in the U.S. still die every day from COVID, and about six out of every seven of those are unvaccinated.
“I always say, vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. It’s been proven that, with vaccination from COVID, you’re still able to get COVID, but you’re less like- ly to die,” he told BusinessWest. “Are you going to feel sick? Yes, absolutely.
But you’re less likely to be hospitalized and die from it. It’s still present, unfortunately. I think it’s always going to remain present for us in combina- tion with the flu and RSV. So definitely get the flu vaccine every year, too.”
Dr. Armando Paez, chief of the Infectious Disease Division at Baystate Health, said vaccination is a must, but it’s important to maintain other pre- cautions as well during the tripledemic.
“Don’t go out or attend gatherings if you are sick. Take COVID-19 tests if you think you have COVID-19 symptoms,” Paez said, adding that, during the holiday season and after, people are traveling and potentially spread- ing viruses. “Frequent hand washing can also help prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds and consider carrying a hand sanitizer with you at all times. Open windows for ventilation. Practice proper cough etiquette. And, because there is more sickness at this time of year, refrain from sharing utensils or drinking cups.”
Kenton said there’s nothing wrong with turning down an invitation to
a gathering where people are sick — or if there’s a possibility of introduc- ing sickness into that house. “If someone in your house is sick, don’t go
to someone else’s house, especially if they have co-morbidity conditions; getting RSV on top of that can cause them to end up hospitalized or poten- tially die.”
He also reminds people that COVID has an asymptomatic period between infection and symptoms, so if someone in a household tests posi- tive, not only should the infected individual isolate, but it’s a good idea
for others in the house to avoid gatherings for a few days until they know they’re negative, to avoid spreading the virus to someone else.
Meoli noted that, for those who do plan to attend gatherings — especial- ly with people at high risk for COVID, like the elderly, children, or people who are immunocompromised — testing for COVID the day before or the day of the gathering can provide some extra reassurance.
“Talk to a healthcare provider if you have any concerns about vaccines, symptoms, or testing,” he added. “COVID-19, flu, and RSV all have the potential for complications, hospitalization, or death.”
It’s certainly a triple threat, area doctors say, but taking simple precau- tions can help keep families safe and patients out of the hospital — or worse. BW
DR. ARMANDO PAEZ
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