You got it. Alright, let's just start with a broad look at flu, COVID, RSV. They are common this time of year. How is this season shaping up broadly, let's say as compared to last year?

Absolutely. This is the time of year when we get very worried about the number of viruses circulating.

And again, as you said, it's common for this time of year. We're right smack dab in the middle of respiratory viral season, and we are seeing very significant increases in rates of influenza right now, specifically also known as flu. In fact, over the past week or so, we've seen about a 70% increase in the number of cases of flu specifically.

We are also watching very closely for COVID as COVID rates also tend to start to swing up this time of year, and RSV has been very, very commonly circulating right now.

This time of year, we've seen rates go up over the past several weeks, but believe it or not, over the past week or so, we've actually seen about a 3% decrease in RSV.

Now that doesn't mean New Yorkers should relax, because we are still in the middle of respiratory viral season. This is the time of year when we expect it, and just about anywhere you go right now, you are likely to confront one of these viruses circulating around you.

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It is a really common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. Those symptoms are quite similar to other viruses and flu symptoms, [like] sneezing, runny nose, cough, congestion, fever, etc.

And although it is a very commonly circulating virus this time of year, it can cause severe illness, including things like pneumonia or even hospitalization in some groups of people that are more vulnerable. Those include very young people and infants, as well as elders who are at risk of complications.

Flu is up quite a bit. Flu is the top of the list for circulating and increasingly circulating viruses right now. But you are right. Flu is not the only thing.

COVID is still circulating. We're not seeing as steep of a rise in COVID cases as we've seen in flu cases. But again, it is still out there. And again, RSV is also quite heavily circulating.

So it is pretty common for us to see these three viruses circulating at different rates. They kind of have their own timeline and it's not uncommon for one to spike and the other may change or stay the same or decrease or plateau.

So the most important thing is to know that all three are actively circulating. Flu is going up much more than the others. And it's not too late to get vaccinated. In fact, most New Yorkers should go out there if they haven't done it already and get their flu updated COVID vaccine and their RSV vaccine, if they're eligible, because it is not too late.

And these viruses are still flowing around in the air, just about everywhere that you will be.

I'm so glad you asked that question, Tiffany. It is exactly right.

The symptoms are quite similar for flu, COVID and RSV. It may be hard to tell based on symptoms, so we encourage anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of a cold or a virus to talk to your medical provider.

And talk with your provider about getting tested because some folks actually might qualify for a treatment that could make their symptoms resolve more quickly and could prevent them from complications like pneumonia, hospitalization or worse.

So we encourage everyone to talk to your provider, ideally get tested, and then again, stay home if you have those symptoms because the last thing you want is to be spreading those symptoms and those viruses to others around you or in your community.

Absolutely. Yes, this is very important information. Not everyone's risk is the same. It is a little bit different for each of the three viruses, but in general, older folks are at higher risk.

And that's partially because as you age, your immune system actually shifts and changes a bit and gets a little weaker. And older folks are also more likely to have a co-occurring chronic illnesses or underlying conditions.

And so those things, age, your immune system not working as well, whether that's because of age or an underlying disease, and having underlying chronic conditions, all those things really increase your risk of having a complication from flu, COVID or RSV.

And in addition to that, young folks are at risk, particularly newborns and infants. They are at risk in particular for complications from RSV, but we're lucky in that there are some really great ways to prevent all three of these viruses, and particularly for our infants, for RSV, and for pregnant people.

RSV as well, either vaccines or monoclonal antibodies, depending on what your provider recommends.

So lots of ways to protect yourself, but there are definitely populations out there and groups out there that are at much higher risk of complications like pneumonia, hospitalization or worse. And we strongly encourage those folks in particular, older folks and infants and babies, to get vaccinated, number one.

And if you're going to be outside, consider wearing a mask. Make sure you practice hand hygiene, and again, if you have any symptoms, talk to your provider, get tested and stay home.

Well, I know that there's been a lot of conversation and attention to long COVID in particular in recent days and weeks. And I want to emphasize that the best way to prevent long COVID is to not get COVID in the first place. And COVID, unfortunately, causes long-term symptoms in many people.

So again, the best way to prevent all of those symptoms is what you described, Tiffany. So it is the hand hygiene. It is wearing masks in high-risk places, particularly if you are in a population or a group that might have higher risk of complications. It is getting that vaccine, you know, all three vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective.

And I want to emphasize to New Yorkers, whether you have insurance or are documented or not, please get vaccinated. We have opportunities through our website to make sure all New Yorkers know where they can get a vaccine for free and where they can get care for free. And that is at nyc.gov/health. So you can find all that information there.

So those are the things that really are going to be protective for yourself, for your family, for your community and for all of New York City at large in this time when the viruses are just about everywhere.