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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 29 The Rappahannock Area Health District is an important resource for families to stay up-to- date about infectious diseases this fall and winter. Bookmark vdh.virginia.gov/rappahan- nock to get the latest information about vacci- nations, CDC recommendations and more. You may also find and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X. Q: What about RSV? Who should get vaccinated for this? RAHD: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respira- tory virus that causes cold-like symptoms in most people, but can cause severe illness in some, par- ticularly older adults and infants. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among U.S. infants. This past summer, the Food and Drug Administration approved two new vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer and GSK, to protect adults aged 60 years and over from RSV. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if vac- cination is right for you. This vaccination is not avail- able at the health department locations at this time. For information about prevention of severe RSV in young children and pregnant women, please visit cdc. gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html Q: When should my family plan to get annual flu and Covid vaccinations? RAHD: These vaccines are all currently available at the Rappahannock Area Health District offices, local pharmacies and healthcare providers. The earlier in the fall season that you get them, the more protected you'll be. It does take two weeks for the vaccines to achieve their full protection, so acting now is recom- mended to get ahead of flu spread in our area. Early October is your best bet, but definitely plan to have your vaccines behind you before Halloween. To find a vaccine location, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov/ Q: The pandemic is now behind us, and many Covid protocols have been lifted. How should parents make decisions this year about whether to keep kids home when symptoms pop up? RAHD: First of all, it's important to review your school handbooks for policies about when children should be kept home with symptoms such as fever. When children report symptoms such as achiness, sore throat or cough, you should consult your pedia- trician, who can help you determine whether testing for any of the illnesses circulating in the community is in order. Covid testing is a good idea if there is any known exposure to another individual who has test- ed positive. It's important to keep children home until symptoms such as fever, vomiting and other prob- lems clear up—even if they test negative for Covid or other illnesses. Q: I have home Covid tests that have been sitting in my cabinet for a while. Are they still accurate? RAHD: First off, check the expiration date. This can be tricky, because when these dates were first printed, manufacturers had a lot less data about the shelf life of their tests. Because of this, the FDA has authorized extended expiration dates for many manufacturers. This means that an expired test may still be valid. To check, visit bit.ly/testchecker2023. A table on this page lists all brands of approved Covid tests. Use the search box to search for your test brand. The table will state whether the expiration date has been extended and provide a link to look up your test's lot number to find the updated expiration date. It is not recommended to use tests after their expiration date. Q: What are general best practices for staying healthy and avoiding spreading illness to friends and family this fall and winter? RAHD: This advice hasn't changed. Wash hands frequently, stay home when you're sick and stay up to date on your vaccines. If you have symptoms but must be around other people, wearing a mask can be a thoughtful way to avoid passing germs along. Test for Covid when you have a known exposure or symp- toms indicate and follow CDC guidelines for isolating after a positive test. It takes two weeks for the vaccines to achieve their full protection, so acting now is recommended to get ahead of flu spread in our area.