Staying healthy in a changing viral landscape
As of August 15th, 2024, the CDC reported that according to wastewater data, 43 states reported either high or very high viral activity levels of SARS-COV-2. For immunocompromised patients, there is a higher risk for severe illness from many viruses.
Image from CDC of their “COVID-19 Current Wastewater Viral Activity Levels Map” from August 19, 2024.
What does high viral activity data mean?
The CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System monitors infectious diseases through over 1,200 sites across the country. Data from wastewater sites, in the context of other types of data monitoring, can help us know quickly when there are changes to disease trends. It can be helpful for noticing changes sooner than clinical data and when people may have a virus and not notice symptoms.
What can we do to stay healthy from respiratory infections like COVID-19?
There are many strategies that can keep our communities safer, and taking precautions is especially important for patients who are immunocompromised or otherwise have high risk factors for severe infections.
Possible precautions may be to:
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
- Keep up to date with immunizations
- Improve ventilation in your home or workplace
- Wear a mask to reduce catching or spreading infections
- Practice social distancing
If you don’t feel well, take additional precautions to keep others safe:
- Stay home when you feel sick or are contagious until your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free
- Test for COVID-19 with a home test and/or additional tests at your doctor’s recommendations
- Start or continue treatments at your doctor’s recommendations
If you have a compromised immune system, additional considerations may include:
- Choose multiple layers of protections to reduce your risk of catching viruses
- Wear a better fitting mask like an N95 or KN95 respirator
- If you test positive for COVID-19 or influenza, talk with your doctor about antiviral treatment options
- Talk with your doctor about recovering from a virus knowing that it may take longer than average to recover
How can Think of me Please® help me?
Think of me Please® is dedicated to raising awareness and support for immunocompromised individuals and helping to reduce added health risks in the community.
We can provide community connections through virtual events, provide patients with self-advocacy materials like door hangers and static clings to remind people entering their room to pause and consider precautions to keep them safe, and promote education and awareness to reduce health risks in the community and ensure immunocompromised individuals live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Sources to learn more and stay up to date on health information:
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/about.html
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/risk-factors/weakened-immune-systems.html
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