Take steps to stay healthy this holiday season.



KPHD - small [ www.kitsappublichealth.org ]

?



________________________________________________________________________


KPHD News

*Dec. 15, 2023*

With respiratory illnesses on the rise, take steps to stay healthy this holiday season

________________________________________________________________________


Protect from illness
________________________________________________________________________



*Respiratory illness season is ramping up in Kitsap County.?*Data reports show [ [link removed] ]?emergency department visits due to influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial?virus (RSV) are on the rise. Two flu-related deaths were reported in Kitsap last week.?

COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community and five COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in long-term care facilities in the past month.?

With holiday gatherings and school breaks just around the corner, now is a good time to make sure you and your household are up to date on immunizations and following simple steps to prevent getting and spreading?viruses [ [link removed] ].?

Scroll down to find updates and tips that can help you have a happy and healthy holiday season.?

________________________________________________________________________



respiratory illness fact sheet [ [link removed] ]
DOWNLOAD OUR RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SEASON FACT SHEET

Download a respiratory illness season fact sheet [ [link removed] ] that you can print and share. Visit our respiratory illnesses page [ [link removed] ] for more tips and resources.



________________________________________________________________________



It's not too late to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines!

*Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.?*

Vaccines offer the best protection against flu and COVID-19. A vaccine can keep you from getting sick or make your illness milder if you do get sick. It can take one to two weeks for a vaccine to begin providing protection, so get vaccinated as early as possible before holiday travel or gatherings.?

*Flu vaccines and updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines*?are widely available in Kitsap. Contact your healthcare provider or a pharmacy to schedule an appointment or check?vaccines.gov [ [link removed] ]?for a list of local providers.

Vaccines are free for children 18 and under. Most insurance plans, including Medicare part B, cover the cost of flu and COVID-19 vaccines.?

*Tip:* It is safe to get a flu and COVID-19 vaccine on the same day, or even during the same visit.?

________________________________________________________________________



Can I still get COVID-19 tests?

*Free COVID-19 self-tests are still available at covid.gov [ [link removed] ].?*Every U.S. household can place an order for four tests delivered directly to your home.?

COVID-19 tests are also available over the counter at many retailers and pharmacies and some healthcare providers offer testing.

Additionally, *Kitsap Public Health can provide tests to community organizations* that serve the public. For information, call 360-728-2235 or email [email protected].

*If you test positive for COVID-19*, stay home from work or school and follow these CDC guidelines [ [link removed] ].?

________________________________________________________________________



What to know about RSV immunizations

RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild illness. RSV can cause serious illness, especially in young children, older adults, and other higher-risk groups.?

Vaccines are available for people at higher risk from RSV:


* *People who are 32-36 weeks pregnant [ [link removed] ]*?can receive an RSV vaccine to protect themselves and their babies.?
* *Adults 60 years and older [ [link removed] ]*?can also get an RSV vaccine to protect themselves and those around them.

*Nirsevimab ? a treatment that protects infants against RSV*?? is not widely available this fall due to high demand and limited supplies.?

Talk to your healthcare provider to learn about availability and whether any of these options are right for you or your family.

________________________________________________________________________



What else can I do to avoid getting or spreading viruses?

rsv prevention [ [link removed] ]

Graphic courtesy U.S. Health and Human Services.

*In addition to staying up to date on immunizations, you can take simple steps every day to avoid getting or spreading the viruses that cause common respiratory illnesses.?*


* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds?
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, including sharing cups and utensils
* Clean frequently touched surfaces like mobile devices
* Stay home when you are sick
* Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
* Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces. Some healthcare offices may require masks during respiratory illness season. Watch for signs and follow instructions when you visit a healthcare facility.?

Learn more about symptoms and prevention for?_colds [ [link removed] ]_,?_flu [ [link removed] ]_,?_RSV [ [link removed] ]_?and?_COVID-19 [ [link removed] ]_.

It's also important to take care of your overall health by eating healthy, staying active, getting sleep and managing stress. See our recent bulletin [ [link removed] ] with tips for keeping your body and mind active during fall and winter months.?

________________________________________________________________________



*MORE RESOURCES*


* Kitsap Public Health District Respiratory Illnesses page [ [link removed] ]
* Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report [ [link removed] ] & State Respiratory Illness Dashboard [ [link removed] ]
* Washington State Department of Health Flu Overview [ [link removed] ]
* Washington State Department of Health holiday guide [ [link removed] ]
* CDC Respiratory Virus Updates [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________



*CONTACT:*

*Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer*
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | 360-728-2235 - main
[email protected]?|?kitsappublichealth.org [ [link removed] ]

kphd website and PHAB logo [ www.kitsappublichealth.org ]



KPHD Logo

*Contact us:*

Email <[email protected]> or call 360-728-2235

*Stay connected with Kitsap Public Health:* Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ]?Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ]?Instagram [ [link removed] ]Vimeo [ [link removed] ]?Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]


*Manage your subscriptions:?*
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]??|??Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]??|??Delete Profile [ [link removed] ]??|??Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Kitsap County Washington ? 619 Division Street ? Port Orchard, WA 98366 ? 360-337-5777 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]