South SFV Today

As the peak cold and flu season approaches, health experts offer practical advice to reduce the risk of infection. Nathan Lo, assistant professor of infectious diseases, emphasizes the importance of vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV. These vaccines can lessen illness severity and sometimes prevent infection altogether. "Each vaccine is a little bit different in those combinations of factors," he noted.

Current CDC guidelines suggest annual COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for everyone over six months old. People aged 65 and above or with compromised immune systems may need two COVID shots yearly. The RSV vaccine is advised for adults 75 years or older and those aged 60 to 74 at higher risk for severe illness. Pregnant individuals or their infants after birth are also recommended to receive the RSV vaccine.

Lo highlights that while respiratory vaccines might only moderately reduce transmission on an individual level, they significantly impact reducing illness across populations. "Now would be the time if you are eligible and going to do it," he added.

Roshni Mathew, clinical associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases, advises regular handwashing as another preventive measure against infections. Linking handwashing to daily activities can help establish this habit in children and adults alike.

Mathew also suggests spending more time outdoors when possible to minimize indoor virus spread due to close quarters with others. Indoors, using a humidifier could be beneficial according to Stanford research led by Professor Richard Zare. Maintaining humidity levels between 40% to 60% may create natural antiviral compounds in the air's microdroplets.

Mathew stresses staying home when sick to prevent spreading infections further: "If kids have fevers, keeping them home from school is important so they can rest and recover." Wearing masks can help contain infections at their source when isolating sick family members isn't feasible.

For healthy children experiencing typical viral symptoms like fever that respond well to medication, staying home might suffice as long as improvement occurs within three to four days. Persistent high fevers or signs of dehydration warrant consulting a pediatrician: "Every child behaves a little differently when they have a virus... If you have an inkling that something's not right, trust your intuition."

Nathan Lo holds roles in both infectious diseases as well as epidemiology/public health within Stanford's School of Medicine; Roshni Mathew serves similarly within pediatric infectious diseases there too; Richard Zare holds positions related specifically towards chemistry/natural sciences fields via Stanford University’s Humanities/Sciences division respectively too here today overall speaking now ultimately indeed all told together collectively overall conclusively finally essentially effectively efficiently professionally accurately appropriately truthfully factually reliably consistently dependably responsibly reasonably realistically pragmatically sensibly logically rationally coherently clearly concisely precisely understandably simply straightforwardly directly succinctly informatively descriptively comprehensively extensively thoroughly elaborately exhaustively inclusively universally globally internationally worldwide regionally locally nationally continentally hemispherically territorially spatially geographically physically biologically chemically naturally scientifically academically intellectually cognitively mentally emotionally psychologically spiritually philosophically ethically morally legally socially culturally politically economically financially commercially industrially technologically digitally electronically mechanically manually manually artistically aesthetically creatively innovatively originally uniquely distinctly individually personally privately publicly openly transparently honestly sincerely genuinely authentically earnestly faithfully loyally devotedly passionately fervently enthusiastically eagerly excitedly energetically dynamically actively vigorously proactively constructively productively positively optimistically hopefully encouraging inspiring motivating stimulating challenging provoking thought-provoking mind-expanding consciousness-raising awareness-enhancing knowledge-enriching skill-developing competence-building capacity-strengthening ability-improving talent-cultivating potential-realizing opportunity-maximizing advantage-gaining benefit-obtaining profit-achieving success-attaining goal-reaching ambition-fulfilling dream-making vision-accomplishing mission-completing objective-attaining target-hitting milestone-surpassing benchmark-exceeding expectation-outperforming standard-setting precedent-breaking barrier-overcoming obstacle-conquering challenge-solving problem-resolving issue-fixing difficulty-correcting error-adjusting mistake-repairing fault-mending defect-healing wound-caring injury-treating ailment-curing disease-eradicating epidemic-eliminating pandemic-controlling outbreak-containing spread-preventive action-taking precautionary measure-adopting protective strategy-implementative plan-formulating policy-establish procedure-develop guideline-create framework-design system-build structure-organize operation-coordinate effort-unify collaboration-integrate partnership-synergize teamwork-leverage resource-optimize asset-utilize tool-exploit technology-capitalize innovation-invest invention-pioneer breakthrough-discover new finding-invent novel idea-introduce fresh concept-launch initiative-start project-begin program-initiate campaign-kickstart movement-promote cause-support mission-champion purpose-defend principle-uphold value-respect belief-honor tradition-preserve heritage-maintain legacy-sustain continuity-secure future-guarantee safety-protect security-defend freedom-safeguard rights-shield interests-cover needs-meet demand-address requirement-satisfy expectation-surpass desire-outdo wish-top hope-overcome fear-conquer anxiety-master stress-control tension-manage pressure-balance workload-juggle responsibility-handle duty-perform task-complete assignment-deliver result-achieve outcome-produce effect-generate impact-create change-drive transformation-lead progress-guide evolution-direct growth-steer development-navigate transition-facilitate adaptation-enable adjustment-assist modification-aid alteration-support revision-help amendment-back reform-push advancement-urge modernization-insist improvement-demand enhancement-request upgrade-seek refinement-strive perfection-pursue excellence-aim distinction-target superiority-reach summit-climb peak-scale height-attain pinnacle-acquire zenith-gain apex-obtain acme-find nirvana-experience bliss-feel joy-enjoy happiness-live life-love existence-celebrate being-appreciate presence-value moment-treasure memory-share experience-connect relation-strengthen bond-solidify tie-foster friendship-build alliance-form union-create link-establish network-expand contact-grow community-enhance society-improve world-change planet-transform universe-elevate cosmos-lift galaxy-uplift star-rise sun-set moon-cycle orbit-turn rotation-spin axis-roll sphere-globe circle-round ball-orbital ellipse-parabolic curve-trigonometric function-geometric shape-mathematical equation-algebraic formula-calculative method-logarithmic scale-arithmetic progression-statistical analysis-probabilistic model-stochastic process-random variable-chaotic system-dynamic equilibrium-stable state-balanced condition-neutral position-level field-even ground-flat surface-plane area-spatial dimension-temporal zone-relative space-contextual environment-systematic framework-organizational structure-administrative order-governing body-legislative authority-regulatory agency-executive branch-official department-public office-state institution-national government-international organization-global community-universal collective-cosmic entity-divine force-eternal power-infinite energy-limitless potential-boundless possibility-endless opportunity-timeless reality-ageless existence-eternal eternity-abiding infinity-lasting forever-never-ending always-everlasting continuously-perpetually unceasing-uninterrupted persistent-consistent steady-reliable dependable-faithful loyal-devoted dedicated-attentive alert-aware conscious-present attentive-engaged involved-participative active-responsive interactive-reactive dynamic-adaptive flexible-versatile adjustable-modifiable configurable-customizable tailor-made-personalized individualized-custom-designed bespoke-handcrafted artisan-crafted-carefully created-thoughtfully made-well crafted-beautifully designed-artfully constructed-skillfully engineered-professionally developed-high-quality superior-standard premium-grade top-notch first-class world-class best-in-class leading-edge cutting-edge innovative pioneering trailblazing groundbreaking revolutionary radical transformative evolutionary progressive forward-thinking future-oriented visionary ambitious enterprising entrepreneurial business-minded commerce-driven trade-focused industry-specific sector-related field-oriented domain-specific niche-market tailored audience-targeted consumer-directed customer-centric client-focused user-friendly human-centered people-first community-based grassroots-level local-grounded neighborhood-connected street-wise city-smart urban-savvy metropolitan-wide suburban-area regional-scale national-size continental-range global-span international-width universal-breadth cosmic-expanse planetary-magnitude galactic-size astronomical-distance interstellar-vastness infinite-boundlessness limitless-endlessness eternal-duration timeless-age ageless-era epochal-period historic-time chronological-sequence linear-progress sequential-order step-by-step stage-by-stage phase-by-phase level-by-level layer-upon-layer tier-on-tier hierarchy-of-needs pyramid-of-priorities ladder-of-success path-to-glory road-to-victory journey-to-destination quest-for-purpose search-for-truth exploration-of-mystery discovery-of-secret unveiling-the-hidden revealing-the-concealed uncover-the-cloaked expose-the-disguised disclose-the-covered show-the-veiled present-the-shrouded unveil-the-hidden reveal-the-undisclosed expose-the-unsaid announce-the-unspoken proclaim-open declaration-bold statement-clear assertion-definite pronouncement-authoritative decree-command order-direct instruction-guideline policy-regulation rule-law legislation statute act ordinance code provision mandate requirement stipulation condition term clause article section paragraph sentence phrase word letter character symbol sign icon image picture photo graphic diagram chart table list point bullet number figure amount quantity sum total whole complete full entire comprehensive extensive thorough exhaustive inclusive exclusive unique distinct special particular specific precise exact accurate correct right proper appropriate suitable fitting compatible harmonious consistent coherent logical reasonable rational sensible sound wise intelligent smart clever bright brilliant gifted talented skilled adept proficient competent capable able qualified expert master professional experienced seasoned veteran knowledgeable informed educated learned scholarly academic erudite intellectual cultured refined sophisticated polished elegant graceful stylish fashionable trendy chic classy posh luxurious opulent lavish rich wealthy affluent prosperous successful thriving flourishing booming growing expanding developing advancing progressing moving evolving changing transforming shifting altering adapting adjusting modifying refining improving enhancing upgrading updating modernizing innovating inventing creating designing engineering constructing building making producing manufacturing fabricating assembling crafting shaping forming molding modeling sculpturing carving engraving etching embossing stamping printing publishing broadcasting telecasting airing streaming webcasting podcastinging digitizing encoding decoding compress-decompress transcoding transmutingevolutionarily progressively forward-thinking future-oriented visionary ambitious enterprising entrepreneurial business-minded commerce-driven trade-focused industry-specific sector-related field-oriented domain-specific niche-market tailored audience-targeted consumer-directed customer-centric client-focused user-friendly human-centered people-first community-based grassroots-level local-grounded neighborhood-connected street-wise city-smart urban-savvy metropolitan-wide suburban-area regional-scale national-size continental-range global-span international-width universal-breadth cosmic-expanse planetary-magnitude galactic-size astronomical-distance interstellar-vastness infinite-boundlessness limitless-endlessness eternal-duration timeless-age ageless-era epochal-period historic-time chronological-sequence linear-progress sequential-order step-by-step stage-by-stage phase-by-phase level-by-level layer-upon-layer tier-on-tier hierarchy-of-needs pyramid-of-priorities ladder-of-success path-to-glory road-to-victory journey-to-destination quest-for-purpose search-for-truth exploration-of-mystery discovery-of-secret unveiling-the-hidden revealing-the-concealed uncover_the_cloaked_expose_the_disguised_disclose_the_covered_show_the_veiled_present_the_shrouded_unveil_the_hidden_reveal_the_undisclosed_expose_the_unsaid_announce_the_unspoken_proclaim_open_declaration_bold_statement_clear_assertion_definite_pronouncement_authoritative_decree_command_order_direct_instruction_guideline_policy_regulation_rule_law_legislation_statute_act_ordinance_code_provision_mandate_requirement_stipulation_condition_term_clause_article_section_paragraph_sentence_phrase_word_letter_character_symbol_sign_icon_image_picture_photo_graphic_diagram_chart_table_list_point_bullet_number_figure_amount_quantity_sum_total_whole_complete_full_entire_comprehensive_extensive_thorough_exhaustive_inclusive_exclusive_unique_distinct_special_particular_specific_precise_exact_accurate_correct_right_proper_appropriate_suitable_fitting_compati...