On Friday, March 1, 2024; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations on “how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.”
According to the CDC, “the new guidance offers a unified approach to reducing risks from a variety of common respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can have serious health impacts and strain hospitals and healthcare workers. These updates come as the U.S. is seeing fewer hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, and we now have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV.”
The CDC continues to recommend core prevention strategies:
- Stay up to date with vaccinations for respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV if you’re eligible.
- Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands frequently, and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
- Improve air quality by increasing ventilation with fresh outdoor air, using air purifiers indoors, or gathering outdoors when possible.
2024 COVID-19 Guidance
Although COVID-19 may not dominate the news like before, it remains a significant concern, with infection levels continuing to fluctuate across the U.S. There have been instances of COVID-19 and influenza A co-infection, with some cases being severe.
Testing remains essential in determining whether your symptoms are due to COVID-19. Testing positive can be alarming, so it’s a good idea to have a plan in place. Although the free home COVID-19 testing program will be ending on Friday, March 8, it’s still wise to have a test kit on hand.
I strongly recommend ordering free COVID-19 tests before the deadline to ensure you’re prepared for any potential infections.
Guide to COVID-19 Symptoms in 2024
The New York Times recently published its 2024 Guide to COVID Symptoms and Treatment, offering an updated approach to managing the virus.
While COVID-19 symptoms have generally become milder compared to the pandemic’s onset, the most common symptoms remain consistent, especially with the current dominant variant, JN.1, according to Dr. Soniya Gandhi from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Current COVID-19 symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, headache, body aches, and cough.
“Any of these symptoms alone can still indicate COVID,” said Dr. Gandhi.
Less common symptoms include conjunctivitis (pink eye) and gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The loss of taste and smell has become much less common compared to earlier in the pandemic.
These milder symptoms are largely due to widespread immunity from vaccinations, previous infections, or both, according to The New York Times.
However, COVID-19 can still pose serious risks—particularly for older adults, the immunocompromised, those with underlying conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung issues), and individuals with active myeloma undergoing treatment.
Recent CDC data shows that as of mid-February, over 21,000 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19, and approximately 10,000 COVID-related deaths have occurred in 2024.
Isolation, Treatment, and Care
If you test positive for COVID-19, supportive care—including plenty of rest and fluids—is crucial.
New CDC Isolation Guidelines
The CDC has updated its isolation guidelines, recommending that individuals stay home and avoid others until 24 hours after their symptoms have significantly improved and they’ve been fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication). The length of isolation may vary based on symptom duration.
However, the CDC notes that “the guidance doesn’t end with staying home and away from others when sick.”
The agency encourages extra precautions for five days after the isolation period ends. These include using preventive strategies like improving indoor air quality, maintaining good hygiene, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or testing for respiratory viruses to reduce transmission risks.
Please note that the CDC provides specific guidance for healthcare settings, which is not currently changing.
Antiviral Treatments
Paxlovid remains available under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as an oral antiviral treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk adults and children (12 years and older, weighing at least 88 pounds).
However, Paxlovid may not be suitable for everyone due to potential interactions with certain medications. Consult with your healthcare provider regarding any medications you are taking (including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements).
Patients with kidney issues may require a different dose, and those who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should discuss Paxlovid use with their healthcare provider.
If Paxlovid isn’t an option, remdesivir—administered intravenously—may be considered but may not be as widely available.
While Paxlovid is no longer free for all, individuals covered by Medicare or Medicaid, as well as eligible uninsured patients, can still access it at no cost through December 31, 2024, via the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Patient Assistance Program.
For more information on obtaining COVID-19 antiviral treatments, this AARP article may be helpful.
Over-the-Counter Medicines
For symptoms like body aches or fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used, along with plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter cold and flu medications with decongestants or cough suppressants can also be taken, though they may cause drowsiness. Monitoring your oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter is also recommended if needed.
Seeking Medical Care
Keep an eye on symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or confusion. If these occur, seek emergency medical attention right away.
Prolonged symptoms or those that worsen after initially improving should prompt a visit to your healthcare provider.
Long COVID and Brain Fog
While most patients recover from COVID-19 within days, some experience long COVID (post-acute sequelae of COVID-19), which lasts over 12 weeks.
A recent New England Journal of Medicine study involving 800,000 adults found that mild infections cause less cognitive decline compared to long COVID cases, which were associated with “brain fog.” This condition includes fatigue, memory loss, and difficulty with everyday tasks.
Support and management groups are emerging to help individuals experiencing long COVID and brain fog.
Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Older Adults
On February 28, CDC Director Mandy Cohen endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for adults 65 and older to receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine this spring.
An updated COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be available in Fall 2024, coinciding with flu shot availability.
I recommend getting both vaccines to reduce the risk of severe illness.
The Bottom Line
While we now have more tools to fight COVID-19, it’s still crucial to exercise caution. If you experience symptoms, get tested—especially if you’re at high risk for severe disease.
