Doctor reveals No. 1 thing people do wrong when they get sick

Don’t sweat the fall stuff — including respiratory viruses.

Cases of the common cold, flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tend to increase in the autumn and winter as people spend more time indoors. Drier air also helps these viruses survive and spread more easily.

Here are the best ways to protect yourself from these viruses — and the No. 1 mistake people make when they fall ill.

Become flu-ent in viruses

Respiratory viruses share many similar symptoms, making it difficult to tell them apart.

The common cold is a milder illness that might cause a stuffy nose, a scratchy throat and coughing but usually not a high fever.

The other three — COVID, RSV and flu — are often characterized by coughing, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath in serious cases.

Wheezing is more common in RSV, the loss of taste or smell is a distinctive sign of COVID and body aches are typically associated with the flu.

These three viruses can cause severe illness, hospitalization and even death, particularly among vulnerable people.

Diagnostic testing at home or in a doctor’s office is the most reliable way to distinguish between respiratory viruses.

Avoid the biggest mistake people make when they get sick

One of the top errors is continuing to go to work.

We really need to stay home when we’re sick so we don’t spread viruses to others.

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, get sufficient rest and take Tylenol or Advil to manage fever, headaches and muscle aches at home.

Aspirin is generally not recommended for children with a viral infection because it could potentially lead to a rare but life-threatening illness.

When we’re at home with our loved ones, roommates or family members, we want to avoid ping-pong infections.

We should practice social distancing, handwashing with soap and water and mask-wearing since viruses can be spread by respiratory droplets and smaller airborne particles.

Respiratory infections usually last just two or three days, and healthy people will recover just fine on their own.

Those at high risk for complications, like older adults and people with weakened immune systems, should at least contact their doctor to let them know they’re sick.

Definitely visit the doctor if you experience shortness of breath, if you don’t improve or your symptoms worsen after three or four days at home.

Don’t go back to work until you’re fever-free for at least 24 hours.

Upon returning to the office, it might be courteous to wear a mask for a few days until symptoms resolve.

Refrain from relying on supplements to B healthy

Another misconception is that you need to take supplements to boost your immunity.

Eating well, exercising, not smoking, getting vaccines, nourishing your spiritual health and following your doctor’s recommendations keep your immune system strong and resilient against infections.

I’m not opposed to a few extra vitamins, but there’s nothing special you need to do to maintain strong immunity. Consider talking to your doctor before taking a product you’ve seen online or in a nutrition store.

Get the proper vaccinations

We have vaccines for flu, COVID and RSV.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine.

For RSV, we’ve developed some really amazing new tools in the last few years to protect against severe disease.

The RSV vaccine is strongly recommended for adults 75 and older and those between 50 and 74 years old who have medical conditions that increase their risk of serious illness.

It’s also recommended for pregnant women who will be delivering in late fall or winter.

Babies younger than 8 months who were born after the last RSV season or whose mothers did not get the RSV vaccine can receive a single monoclonal antibody shot.

The guidelines recently changed for the COVID jab. Everyone over the age of 65 can get vaccinated because older adults are at higher risk for serious COVID complications, including hospitalization and death.

I strongly recommend seniors get the shot because they make up 75% of COVID deaths.

It’s also suggested for people aged 6 months to 64 who have an underlying condition like serious lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, HIV, AIDS or a weakened immune system.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending COVID vaccines for all children 6 months to 23 months because kids are at high risk for serious disease when they contract COVID.

Finally, anyone who wants a COVID vaccine but doesn’t fit in one of these groups can talk with their doctor, who may provide an “off-label” prescription for the COVID vaccine. 

The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the small risk of any serious harm.

Mark your calendar

For COVID and flu, the ideal time to get vaccinated is September or October, before the height of respiratory virus season.

Go for the flu vaccine once a year and COVID twice a year — in the fall ahead of the active winter season and in the spring to protect against summer surges.

You should only get the RSV shot once in your life, based on current guidelines. We generally recommend it in the fall, just before respiratory virus season.

Pregnant women should receive the RSV vaccine between weeks 32 and 36.

It takes about two weeks to develop immunity after vaccination.

All of us here at NYU Langone Health wish you and your family good health and happiness.

The very best way to protect yourself, your family, your loved ones and vulnerable people you interact with is to receive vaccines for COVID, RSV and the flu, according to recommendations from major public health organizations.

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NYU Langone Health’s Vaccine Center, directed by Mark J. Mulligan, MD, leads pioneering vaccine-related research. As part of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology in the Department of Medicine, renowned experts in vaccine research merge basic science, clinical studies and public health outreach to prevent the spread of disease.