Vaccines are best at prevention but what else can help battle RSV, COVID and flu?

WASHINGTON (7News) — It’s not just flu season anymore. The triple threat of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV has health officials warning about spreading respiratory viruses across the country.

It’s no surprise that doctors are encouraging patients to roll up their sleeves for vaccines. The medicine can help prevent and lessen the severity of the disease. 7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez spoke with Kaiser Permanente’s Dr. Ashlee Williams about what else can help during the winter months.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections typically go away on their own after a week or two, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, infants younger than 6 months and older adults can see more serious health problems. RSV can cause pneumonia and inflammation in the lungs and small airways.

SEE ALSO | Virginia Department of Health reports that flu cases are on the rise in the Commonwealth

There are three types of RSV immunizations available. Adults 60 and older can get one of two vaccines, Arexvy or Abrysvo. Women in their 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy can get the Abrysvo shot to protect infants. Infants and some young children can get Beyfortus, a preventative antibody currently in short supply.

While COVID-19 is no longer a health emergency, it remains a pandemic. From Dec. 17 to Dec. 23, 2023, more than 29,000 people were admitted to the hospital with complications, according to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

According to the U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report ending Dec. 23, more than 14,700 people were hospitalized with flu this week. Seven children died of flu complications this season alone.

“It’s the three viruses that we’re seeing at the same time now,” said Dr. Williams.

“Is it possible to get all three at once?” Sanchez asked.

“Yes, it is possible. It’s very rare,” she said.

“Growing up my mom said, ‘Drink orange juice. Take your vitamins.’ Is there any legitimacy to that? Do those things help?” Sanchez asked.

“I mean, making sure that you’re well rested, staying hydrated, making sure that you’re eating right, doing the right things, it does help boost your immune system, but there’s no statistics that show that drinking orange juice will not prevent you from getting seriously sick,” she said.

Dr. Williams said basic hand hygiene, covering sneezes and coughs and staying home while sick are all good ways to stop the spread.

According to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, sleep helps the body fight infections more effectively.

Seven-hour sleepers are 300% less likely than five-hour sleepers to develop a viral infection, the researchers found.

Other tips include avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and screens an hour before bed. Strenuous exercise close to bedtime can also keep you awake at night. It’s best to avoid this four hours before shuteye.