Capital District Times

When Patricia and Gary Wolfe visit their doctor, Danielle Wales, MD, a primary care physician with Albany Medical Center, they make sure to take steps to prevent illness during winter.

The couple from Valatie recalls having the flu. "It was like you got hit by a Mack Truck—we had fevers, chills, sweats," Patricia said, noting it took a month to feel normal again.

Brian McDermott, DO, an infectious disease specialist at Saratoga Hospital, commented on seasonal trends: "This time of year we see an uptick in the big three: Covid, flu, and RSV." He advised seeking medical care if experiencing wheezing or shortness of breath, high fever, or severe cough.

Dr. McDermott mentioned that antiviral medications can help with Covid and flu symptoms but noted that antibiotics are ineffective against these viral infections. For RSV, only symptom relief strategies exist as there is no specific treatment.

"The good news is we have prophylaxis for all three," said Dr. Wales. She emphasized the importance of vaccinations and boosters to keep people out of hospitals.

Dr. Wales highlighted that babies, older adults, and at-risk adults are most affected by these viruses. To protect infants from RSV complications, pregnant individuals can be vaccinated between 32-36 weeks of gestation or newborns can receive an antibody booster to reduce severe cases requiring hospitalization.

She also advises her patients to get a flu shot for heart protection: "Data show that heart attacks increase during flu season and that people who got flu shots were less likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack."