Prepare for this year's upper respiratory infection season
10/17/2024 by Sidna Tulledge-Scheitel, M.D., M.P.H.
Respiratory illnesses are a common occurrence in the fall and winter, with seasonal cases of COVID-19, influenza, strep throat and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) likely increasing over the next few months.
Here are a few tips and reminders to guide you through this year’s upper respiratory infection season. Mayo Clinic’s guidelines for the testing and treatment of upper respiratory infections are informed by expertise and best practices from Mayo’s Department of Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For most people, respiratory illnesses can be treated at home.
Mayo recommends clinic-based testing and treatment only for those at high risk for severe illness, including people who are 65 or older, immunocompromised, pregnant or have other complex health conditions.
If you have respiratory symptoms and aren’t high-risk, you probably don’t need to make an appointment with your clinician. Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids and using over-the-counter medications can help you feel better and aid recovery.
Use home antigen tests to test for COVID-19.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, home antigen tests are the fastest, most convenient and least expensive way to get tested. These inexpensive tests are widely available through commercial pharmacies and big-box grocery stores. You can also order free home antigen tests through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Tests for other infections such as influenza are recommended only for high-risk patients or those who meet certain criteria. For most people, testing for influenza or other infections will not change your treatment plan.
Report a positive result to your clinician only if you’re interested in treatment.
You only need to report your COVID-19 home test results to your primary care clinician if you’re interested in receiving treatment. You can self-report a positive test result through the COVID-19 home antigen attestation questionnaire on the patient portal.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you don’t always need oral antiviral treatment (Paxlovid).
Unless you’re at high risk for complications, you likely won’t benefit from oral antiviral treatment with Paxlovid. If you’re low risk, this medication does not shorten the amount of time you’ll experience symptoms or reduce your risk of hospitalization. Taking Paxlovid can make low-risk patients feel worse.
Researchers don’t know if Paxlovid reduces the risk of long COVID.
Paxlovid is no longer provided to patients by the government, which means there is a cost for this treatment. Make sure you check your insurance coverage to understand how much you’ll be expected to pay for Paxlovid.
Use Mayo Clinic’s digital tools for quick and convenient upper respiratory symptom assessment and care.
Remember that Mayo Clinic has a variety of digital tools to help assess your upper respiratory symptoms and determine the best mode of care. Tools like Check Symptoms and the Primary Care Nurse Triage Line are available any time, including when clinics are closed, and follow Mayo Clinic protocols and expertise. In general, Check Symptoms in the patient portal is the fastest and most convenient way to assess your upper respiratory infection symptoms.
Patients can also use Express Care Online for symptom assessment and care recommendations during the day and in the evening. These resources can provide care recommendations and help determine if you need a visit with a primary care clinician.
Prevention is the best protection against upper respiratory infections.
Following simple prevention guidelines can go a long way in protecting you and your family members from illness.
Make sure you wash your hands, avoid prolonged contact with sick individuals and stay current on your recommended vaccines, especially for influenza and COVID-19.
If you do become ill, help protect others by staying home until your symptoms improve and you have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours. For the next five days, take added precautions, like keeping your distance from others and wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask if contact with people is unavoidable.
Sidna Tulledge-Scheitel, M.D., M.P.H., is a physician in Community Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care in Rochester. She is also the medical director for Mayo Clinic’s Midwest Virtual Care Team, a group of clinicians who manage upper respiratory infection testing and treatment protocols for patients in Rochester and across Mayo Clinic Health System.