With kids returning to school—and the inevitable exposure to germs and other viruses that circulate indoors—it’s time to think about cold and flu season. This year, get a jump on viruses with pre-planning and preparation. While influenza and other viruses can be inconvenient for some people, they can mean severe illness or complications for others, so stay aware and informed to keep everyone in your family healthy.

Prevention: Get the Flu Shot 

Though there is no vaccine for the common cold, there is a yearly vaccine for the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. The best time to get vaccinated is October or November before flu season is in full swing. 

Anyone with a chronic health condition should be especially vigilant about getting vaccinated. In 2023, the CDC estimates that over 44,900 people died from flu complications, so prevention is critical for anyone at high risk, such as individuals with asthma, diabetes or heart disease, pregnant women, and everyone 65 and older. 

Certain groups should not get the flu shot:

• Children under the age of 6 months

• Anyone severely allergic to ingredient(s) in the flu vaccine

• Anyone with a history of allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine

If you have an allergy to an ingredient in the flu vaccine or a reaction to a previous flu vaccine, talk to your doctor about alternatives. 

Other Seasonal Vaccines

Depending on their age, health status and other risk factors, some groups of people may need additional seasonal vaccines.

COVID-19

Another potentially serious infection, COVID-19 can cause respiratory symptoms similar to those of the cold or flu. More severe cases can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization and lasting health consequences. 

This season (2024–2025), the CDC recommends people age 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Your doctor will advise you when these vaccines are available.

RSV

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is another seasonal virus that shares symptoms with the common cold, flu and COVID-19. RSV affects the nose and throat and may go on to cause pneumonia, especially in babies. Certain groups of people are advised to get an RSV vaccine this fall:

• Infants or pregnant women. New babies up to 8 months should get a dose of the RSV vaccine, OR their mother should receive a vaccine during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, ask your OBGYN whether you should receive an RSV vaccination.

• Children 8–19 months old with certain risk factors. Those children who are entering their second RSV season and who have increased risk factors for a severe case of RSV should receive a vaccination.

• Adults age 60 to 74 with certain risk factors. These risk factors include living in a group setting such as a nursing home, chronic heart or lung disease, and some other chronic diseases.

• Adults age 75 and older. Everyone in this group should get a single dose of RSV vaccine.

Health providers recommend getting the RSV vaccine in late summer or early fall, but RSV is not an annual vaccine, meaning you do not need a new dose every year.

Keep Your Immune System Strong All Year

In addition to getting vaccinated, keeping your immune system strong throughout the year will help stave off viruses. Practical approaches to building your immune system include:

• Eating a healthy diet: A nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables helps keep your body strong, including your immune system.

• Moving more. Regular exercise keeps our bodies in good shape to help fight viruses.

• Managing your stress: Deep breathing, journaling, prayer, being with friends, going for a walk—you have many options to prevent stress from wreaking havoc on your immune system and opening the door to infection.

• Practicing good hygiene: Wash hands often and correctly, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds or to the tune of two rounds of “Happy Birthday.” Carry and use hand sanitizer.

• Getting enough rest: Sleep helps your immune system fight off viruses.

• Staying hydrated: Approximately two-thirds of your body weight is water, necessary for all the cells in your body—and your immune system— to function correctly. So be sure to drink at least 9 cups of water a day for women or 13 for men, and more if you sweat a lot. 

• Wearing a mask: You may choose to wear a mask to protect yourself and others if you are sick or if a seasonal virus could cause you to develop a serious illness. If you’re caring for a sick person, ask them to wear a mask, too, so the virus doesn’t spread to you or the people around you.

Not sure which vaccines your family needs this year? Ask a St. Luke’s Health family medicine physician.