There’s nothing quite like the flu season to put a damper on the holiday party season.
As flu cases continue to rise in New York, the city health department has launched a new campaign that plays on the endemic condition of FOMO, or fear of missing out, to get New Yorkers to take extra precautions.
The $1 million “Don’t Miss Out” campaign urges New Yorkers to get vaccinated and to take other steps to avoid spreading the flu and other respiratory illnesses. That includes being extra vigilant about hand-washing, wearing masks, covering up when coughing or sneezing, and keeping surfaces clean.
“Less sick time. More together time,” one campaign poster reads.
Public health experts have raised concerns that this flu season could be severe.
The particular flu variant going around
One particular flu variant that’s going around right now “ carries with it a number of mutations that probably will make it less sensitive to vaccine-induced immunity,” said Andy Pekosz, a virologist and professor of microbiology at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health.
But Pekosz said the flu vaccine will still help prevent that variant from resulting in severe disease or hospitalization, and is expected to provide more robust protection against the other strains in circulation.
So far, more than 64,000 New Yorkers statewide have caught the flu this season, with confirmed cases up 29% between the last week of November and the first week of December, according to the latest data from the state Department of Health.
About 1,400 New Yorkers were hospitalized with the flu the first week of December, a 75% increase from the week before, the data shows.
What to do if you or someone in your household gets sick
State data shows flu season has arrived in New York earlier this year than last year, but the peak is still likely to come after people gather for the holidays, said Dr. Bernard Camins, medical director for infection prevention at Mount Sinai Health System.
Signs and symptoms of the flu may include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or body aches, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Camins said anyone who gets sick should stay home from work or school, at least until they no longer have a fever. He also said it’s a generally good idea to wear a mask when respiratory viruses are going around, but especially if you have symptoms yourself — even if you’re not sure yet whether it’s the flu, a cold, RSV or COVID-19.
Oh, there’s always the doctor, masks and hand-washing
Camins suggested going to the doctor — ideally, with a mask on — to get diagnosed within 48 hours of getting sick. Those who test positive for the flu can then get a prescription for an antiviral flu medication.
He added that over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also help reduce fever and body aches.
Camins acknowledged that staying healthy can be hard if someone else in the household gets sick, especially since those living in cramped NYC apartments may not be able to avoid sharing a bathroom. But Camins said frequent hand-washing — especially if you’re the caretaker — is key.
