Health Matters

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What the experts say about staying healthy during this year's holiday season

By Jamie Ducharme

Health Correspondent

The holiday season brings lots of fun, festive, joyful occasions—but it can also introduce a minefield of public-health dilemmas, as months of travel, parties, and family visits throw gasoline on the fire of respiratory-disease season. So I called in a couple experts to help put together your cheat sheet for dealing with COVID-19, flu, and RSV this winter. Here’s some of what they said:

If you’re not boosted already, get your shot ASAP. An updated COVID-19 booster came out in September, and it’s worth getting if you haven’t had or been vaccinated against COVID-19 recently. Get it as soon as you can, since it takes about two weeks to take full effect.
Yes, you still have to isolate if you catch COVID-19. It may feel like the pandemic is behind us, but health authorities still say anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should stay away from others—and avoid travel, gatherings, and public places—for at least five days, then stay masked up for another five.
But also, remember other diseases exist. COVID-19 is still a big threat, but flu and RSV are also on the rise right now. Flu shots are recommended for almost everyone, and you can get yours at the same time as your COVID-19 booster. There’s also a newly approved RSV vaccine for elderly adults and pregnant people.

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Today's newsletter was written by Jamie Ducharme and Haley Weiss, and edited by Elijah Wolfson.