San Francisco, CA –The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) has received the first report of a death caused by influenza (flu) of the respiratory season. The individual was an adult over the age of 65 and had not received the annual flu vaccine. It is not too late to get vaccinated to help protect yourself against severe illness, including hospitalization and death.
Respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are circulating across the country, including in San Francisco. SFDPH recommends the following steps for people to stay healthy during the winter respiratory season:
- Get vaccinated against flu, COVID, and RSV. Being up to date on vaccines is the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Getting vaccinated is especially important if you are age 65 and older or have underlying medical conditions. For more information about the COVID, flu and RSV vaccines, please visit sf.gov/vax.
- Get tested if you feel sick. Testing for flu and COVID will help you determine what to do to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, especially if you are age 65 and older or have underlying medical conditions. Safe and effective oral medications for flu and COVID are widely available with a prescription. Talk to your health care provider about testing for flu. In addition, each household can order up to four free COVID tests and have them delivered to their residence over the mail. Visit covidtests.gov to order your free tests.
- Consider wearing a mask. People should always consider wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask, such as a KF94, KN95 or N95, in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor settings, especially if they are at higher risk for severe disease.
- If you are feeling sick, stay home as much as you can until you have recovered. It is also important to talk to your health care provider about your symptoms. There are many respiratory viruses circulating this time of year, so talking to your provider will be the best way to make sure you are treated properly and as quickly as possible.
- Keep your hands clean by washing them with soap and water for 20 seconds. Washing your hands is especially important after using the bathroom, after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, and before eating.
- Improve ventilation indoors by turning on HVAC systems, filtering the air with a portable HEPA filter (the same kind that many use for wildfire smoke), pointing fans out open windows, or opening doors and windows when possible. These can all help viruses from spreading indoors.
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