Originally Published by National Geographic
Yet another holiday season. Yet another round of highly contagious respiratory viruses threatening to ruin our festive plans.
Cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are up, flu is widely circulating, and COVID-19 is sending increasing numbers to the emergency room. Still, unlike several years ago when the novel coronavirus had everyone playing Scrooge and nixing holiday plans, experts say that’s no longer necessary for most people. But it’s still smart to take precautions to protect yourself, your guests, and your family.
“There are things we can do this winter to minimize sickness and disruption to maximize time with family. This is what the holidays are all about,” says Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist and scientific consultant to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other institutions, who blogs as Your Local Epidemiologist.
Half of Americans plan to take virus protection measures this holiday season, according to a survey by the nonprofit KFF (formerly called Kaiser Family Foundation). Some worry about their own chance of falling sick; others want to avoid spreading the disease to loved ones, since respiratory infections are so easily passed from an infected person’s nose or mouth.
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