Happy New Year to all!
Below is a brief overview of current seasonal viruses and self-care measures to empower individuals in advocating for their own health.
- Flu
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- COVID-19
Overview
Cold, Flu, RSV
Most people – including children – will recover from the flu on their own, but some people will experience severe illness requiring hospitalization.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection can cause severe infection in some people, including babies 12 months and younger, especially premature babies, seniors, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system (immunocompromised).
In adults and older, healthy children, RSV symptoms are mild and typically mimic the common cold. Self-care measures are usually all that’s needed to relieve any discomfort.
If you are ill, seek medical care.
COVID-19 can cause severe infection in some people, including children, and can lead to hospitalization and even death. People who have received COVID-19 vaccines can still experience infections, although their risk of severe illness and hospitalization is greatly reduced.
If you are ill, seek medical care, get tested.
What to Know About Contagious Respiratory Illnesses
For questions and concerns, please feel free to contact Health Services at (518) 629-7468 or healthservice@hvcc.edu.
Stay well!
Claudine Potvin-Giordano
Director
College Health Services