Monday, November 07, 2022

Stay healthy from respiratory sickness

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ABLE SC Stay Healthy from Respiratory Sickness header

Infections with respiratory viruses are on the rise in the United States. You may have heard about RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), Influenza & COVID-19, on the news. These sicknesses can be very bad or deadly for people with disabilities. 

How can you protect yourself and the people you love and care for?  
  • Get vaccinated & boosted! Even though there's no vaccine for RSV, there are vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. Talk to your healthcare provider, like a doctor or pharmacist, about getting vaccinated. If you are not up to date on your vaccines, you could get really sick! You can learn more about COVID-19 and vaccination from the SC Disability Vaccine Access Network.  
  • Wash your hands often, using soap and water, for a minimum of 20 seconds. Remind others to do the same!  
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes using a tissue or into the upper arm sleeve of your shirt.  
  • Surfaces touched often should be cleaned frequently – this would include mobile phones, doorknobs & remote controls.  
  • Avoid contact with individuals showing viral symptoms such as runny nose, coughing, or fever. This may mean staying away from people you love while they get better.  
  • Keep your distance from others by staying at least 6 feet apart – avoiding close contact and crowded places can protect you from sickness.  
  • You can also wear a facemask. N95 and KN95 type masks provide some of the best protection from getting sick with respiratory viruses.  
  • Get tested by and get help from a medical provider like your doctor if you do get sick; Getting the help you need can help you keep others around you from getting sick.  
Learn more about how to stop and prevent respiratory sicknesses: 
Able South Carolina
803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org 

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