How to Get Ahead of Cold, Flu and COVID-19

(NC) Every year we remember the familiar onset of cold and flu season, and now there’s the added factor of the COVID-19 virus.

The usual steps to prevent getting sick apply to most of us:

• Wash your hands often, and always before eating, drinking, or touching your face.
• Use technology like HEPA air filters and face masks indoors.
• Support your overall health with a balanced diet, good sleep habits, and exercise.
• Stay up-to-date on all vaccinations, including for flu and COVID-19.

While these tips will go a long way in preventing illness for most of us, there are many for whom COVID-19 remains dangerous. In fact, about two percent of the global population may remain vulnerable to COVID-19 because of an inadequate response to vaccination.

For those people, most of whom have compromised immune systems due to health conditions or medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation or dialysis, COVID-19 is a real concern. In fact, they make up 40 percent of those hospitalized with breakthrough infections after vaccination.

Fortunately, there are prevention and treatment options available in addition to vaccines, such as monoclonal antibodies. While many vaccines start an immune response using a weakened pathogen or particle, monoclonal antibodies mimic the body’s natural antibodies to neutralize a virus.

You can learn more about how you can prevent or treat COVID-19, whether you’re immune-compromised or not, by speaking with your healthcare provider.