Preparing for the Upcoming "Respiratory Season" with CDC's Dr. Amy Xie

Dr. Amy Xie, a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, sat down with Trae Holiday to provide valuable insights and guidance on navigating this time of year. As the weather turns colder and the days grow shorter, many of us are bracing for the arrival of the winter "respiratory season."

Dr. Xie explained that the term "respiratory season" has replaced the more familiar "flu season" as we now face a wider array of illnesses that can spread more easily during the colder months. "We used to call winter season flu season, but now I think we have a few more germs on the block," she said. "We know we have COVID, we have whooping cough, we have RSV, and these are all things that are passed from person to person in the same way."

"The best way to protect ourselves is to prepare our immune systems with vaccines," she advised. This includes getting the annual flu shot, the latest COVID-19 booster, and staying up-to-date on vaccines for whooping cough (pertussis) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be especially dangerous for young children and older adults.

Beyond vaccines, Dr. Xie stressed the need to be mindful of our personal hygiene and environmental factors. "If you feel under the weather, stay home," she urged. "That is one thing that we can all do to protect everyone around us." She also highlighted the importance of good ventilation, noting that "when you think about the way that the viruses are spreading through the air, it kind of makes sense" to be mindful of airflow, especially in crowded indoor settings.

To find resources on where to get these essential vaccines and learn more about protecting yourself and your community, visit the King County public health website at kingcounty.gov/find-a-clinic.