3 Vulnerable Populations and How You Can Protect Them This Cold and Flu Season

Newborns 

Newborns are more likely to become seriously ill when they contract illnesses such as RSV, COVID, and other diseases that cause fevers. In some situations, fevers can cause permanent brain damage to a baby. Newborns may be especially vulnerable to illnesses because their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. Furthermore, newborns cannot receive many of the vaccines that are on the market. In most hospitals, the standard vaccinations that are given to newborns are the Hepatitis B vaccine and vitamin K shot—which does not provide immunity from a disease, rather it helps with the baby’s vitamin K levels. At the time of writing this blog, it is not currently standard for newborns to get RSV vaccines, COVID vaccines, or flu shots. Therefore, there are typically few options for parents to protect their newborn babies from illness.

Keeping Newborns Safe 

You can help keep newborns safe by following appropriate guidelines. You should never kiss a baby who doesn’t live with you. The standard advice is that only household members should be allowed to kiss a baby for the first three months of the baby’s life—but not all parents agree with this. Some parents wait six months before allowing people to kiss their babies, and some wait even longer. It is also important for people to wash their hands before they hold a newborn. Avoid touching babies without the parents’ permission, especially if you don’t know the baby or their circumstances, as some babies may be uniquely susceptible to illness and infection. If you have decided not to vaccinate your children, it may not be a good idea to introduce them to a newborn, as children are generally more likely to carry illness due to their exposure to more people. 

The Elderly 

Elderly people are more likely to have serious consequences when they contract a flu or virus. The immune system is weaker in the very young and in the very old, generally speaking, of course. This means that elderly people typically have a harder time fighting off illness and infections. Sometimes, when a disease is particularly difficult on a person’s immune system, they become susceptible to other ailments as a result. For example, many people who got COVID also got pink eye. Sometimes, a flu or cold can lead to an infection that an elderly person can really struggle to fight. What may be a simple bacterial infection for a person in their 30s may be a really serious concern for a person in their 70s. This is especially true if multiple rounds of antibiotics are needed to treat the infection, as antibiotics can cause serious reactions. 

Safety Tips for Grandma’s House 

If you’re going to Grandma’s house, it’s important to take extra precautions, especially if you’re bringing the grandchildren. As previously mentioned, children are more likely to carry illness because they’re exposed to a lot more people. If your child is sick, it may be a good time to consider rescheduling your trip to grandma’s house. While it may be tempting to go without the child, you may have contracted the illness but aren’t symptomatic yet. There are some illnesses that can be passed from person to person before symptoms even begin, so don’t think that just because you aren’t feeling sick that you truly are not sick. You could be contagious and not even symptomatic. If you or someone in your house has been exposed to illness, it may be a good idea to consider staying home until you’re better.  

Immunocompromised People 

Certain illnesses such as COVID-19 can be extremely dangerous to those who are immunocompromised. You don’t have to be elderly or a baby to be immunocompromised. Those with certain medical conditions may be considered to be immunocompromised. For example, people with HIV, pregnant women, and those going through intense treatments, such as chemotherapy, may all be immunocompromised to some extent. It’s important for immunocompromised people to take extra precautions to avoid illness, and those around them ought to take extra precautions as well. 

Protecting Immunocompromised People 

If you’re spending time with a loved one during the cold and flu season, it may be a good idea to wear a mask. If you’re going to be seeing this person extensively, or this person lives with you, it may be a good idea to review your concerns with a medical professional. In some cases, there may be a vaccine available that can offer additional protection in the event you are exposed to an illness. It is important to review all treatment plans, vaccines, and supplements with a licensed medical professional to ensure that the information you’re getting is up-to-date and accurate. 

Remember, You (Probably) Can’t File a Claim for Contracting an Illness

If you’ve sustained damages due to contracting an illness, you probably don’t have a personal injury claim. Therefore, it is important to take measures to protect yourself, especially if you would be seriously harmed by the cold or flu.