6 Healthy Halloween Tricks for Treats
SEP 16, 2024Eating a good meal before trick or treating, planning a costume party, and keeping an eye on candy consumption are just a few tricks for a healthier Halloween.
Read MoreIf you’ve had the flu, you know it can be a miserable experience. No one wants to be sick for four or more days if they don’t have to be.
Unfortunately, some are sick even longer with secondary issues like ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. A smaller number of patients end up in the hospital and unfortunately people do die from the flu and other viruses each year.
That’s why we urge our patients to get their flu shot each fall. This year, there’s also a new Covid booster and an RSV vaccine for older adults. Which do you need, and when should you get them? Read on for details.
The flu shot is currently available. We urge patients to get it as soon as possible to ensure they are protected when flu season begins in the fall.
It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for protection to develop. Flu vaccines do not contain live virus and do not cause flu.
A new Covid booster vaccine becomes available in September 2024. Very similar to how the flu virus can change and mutate, the Covid virus can also mutate. Even if you’ve had Covid before or had a previous booster vaccine, you may not be protected from this current strain.
If you get a mild case of Covid despite receiving the vaccine, it doesn’t mean the vaccine didn’t work. It means the vaccine helped your body fight the illness so your symptoms were not as severe.
An RSV vaccine is now recommended for older adults. The best time to get vaccinated is in late summer or early fall – before RSV starts to spread in the community.
If you’re unsure if the RSV vaccine is for you, talk to your primary care provider. If you are pregnant, your provider may recommend a maternal RSV vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy.
The good news is you can get the flu and Covid vaccines at the same time as studies have shown it's safe. The same goes for flu and RSV vaccines. There’s currently no study results on getting all three vaccines at once.
While it’s more convenient, getting multiple vaccines at the same time may increase the chances of mild side effects like arm pain, swelling, headache, or fatigue. These are usually short-lived and manageable with ibuprofen and rest.
Keep in mind, vaccinations don’t just protect you. They also help protect vulnerable people such as young babies and immune compromised people by reducing the spread of these viruses. If you have any concerns about vaccines, talk to your provider.
Eating a good meal before trick or treating, planning a costume party, and keeping an eye on candy consumption are just a few tricks for a healthier Halloween.
Read MoreIf you’ve ever hesitated to ask your doctor a question because you were embarrassed or unsure, you’re not alone.
Read MoreThe good news is the same things you do to stay healthy throughout your life – exercising regularly, eating healthy, managing stress – still apply as you get older.
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.