Month: October 2022

2022-10-05T08:01:00

(BPT) – Michelle Trites, her husband and their 3-year-old daughter all have Type 1 diabetes. Diabetes is an ever-present part of their lives and ensuring that they have tools in their tool kits to handle low blood sugar emergencies is a top priority.

Ever since Michelle was diagnosed at 13 years old, the Glucagon Emergency Kit has been a constant presence — at school, at work, and on her person at all times. But not anymore. After learning about ready-to-use glucagon, Michelle made sure that everyone in her family replaced the old red kit with Gvoke HypoPen^®, a ready-to-use rescue pen for treatment of very low blood sugar in adults and kids ages 2 and older.

Michelle believes the emergency glucagon kit is cumbersome to use due to its 12-step administration process. “That was a lot to ask from non-medical professionals who could get squeamish just looking at a needle, much less completing so many steps in a high-stakes emergency,” Michelle said. In a usability study, only 31% of users could use the glucagon injection kit correctly.

Eli Lilly and Company, a producer of the GEK kit, recently announced that it is discontinuing distribution of the kit on December 31, 2022. The decision was reportedly made due to innovations in the glucagon market and highlights the importance of providing patients with products that enable simpler administration during critical moments of need.

As a result of this news, all patients that currently have a prescription for Eli Lilly’s GEK will need to be transitioned to another option.

The Trites recommend that people with diabetes and their caregivers ask their physician for Gvoke HypoPen^®. “Everyone should have Gvoke HypoPen in their tool kit,” said Michelle. “It can help you confidently manage a low blood sugar emergency.”

Gvoke HypoPen^®, the simple solution you can count on:

• Ready-to-use: Premixed and ready-to-go¹
• Simple to administer: Simple 2-step administration. Pull red. Push yellow
• Reliable method of delivery: 99% of people (trained and untrained) were able to give correctly in usability studies¹
• Proven to work: >99% of adults and pediatrics patients had their blood glucose raised to safe levels

Talk to your doctor about adding Gvoke HypoPen^® to your diabetes toolkit and visit GvokeGlucagon.com to learn more.

“We are focused on making our treatments simple for patients or caregivers to administer,” said Ken Johnson, senior vice president for Global Development and Medical Affairs at Xeris Pharmaceuticals. “Xeris is committed to offering historically hard-to-administer and potentially life-saving medications in innovative ready-to-use injectables.”

INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
GVOKE is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in adults and kids with diabetes ages 2 years and above. It is not known if GVOKE is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.

WARNINGS

Do not use GVOKE if:

• you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland), called a pheochromocytoma.
• you have a tumor in your pancreas called an insulinoma.
• you are allergic to glucagon or any other inactive ingredient in GVOKE.

GVOKE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:

High blood pressure. GVOKE can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands.

Low blood sugar. GVOKE can cause low blood sugar in certain people with tumors in their pancreas called insulinomas by making too much insulin in their bodies.

Serious allergic reaction. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including:

• rash
• difficulty breathing
• low blood pressure

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effects of GVOKE in adults include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• swelling at the injection site
• headache

The most common side effects of GVOKE in children include:

• nausea
• low blood sugar
• high blood sugar
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• headache
• pain or redness at the injection site
• itching

These are not all the possible side effects of GVOKE. For more information, ask your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

BEFORE USING

Before using GVOKE, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have adrenal gland problems
• have a tumor in your pancreas
• have not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation)
• have low blood sugar that does not go away (chronic hypoglycemia)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

HOW TO USE

• Read the detailed Instructions for Use that come with GVOKE.
• Use GVOKE exactly how your healthcare provider tells you to use it
• Make sure your relatives, close friends, and caregivers know where you store GVOKE and how to use it the right way before you need their help.
• Act quickly. Having very low blood sugar for a period of time may be harmful.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how and when to use GVOKE.
• After giving GVOKE, your caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away.
• If you do not respond after 15 minutes, your caregiver may give you another dose, if available. Tell your healthcare provider each time you use GVOKE. Low blood sugar may happen again after receiving an injection of GVOKE. Your diabetes medicine may need to be changed.

HOW TO STORE

• Keep GVOKE in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it.
• Store GVOKE at temperatures between 68°F and 77°F.
• Do not keep it in the refrigerator or let it freeze.

Keep GVOKE and all medicines out of the reach of children.

For more information, call 1-877-937-4737 or go to https://gvokeglucagon.com/

Please see the Full Prescribing Information for Gvoke: https://gvokeglucagon.com/pdf/gvoke-prescribing-information.pdf

2022-10-05T08:01:00

(BPT) – For millions of people around the world, hitting the snooze button in the morning offers a few more minutes of relaxation — a little quiet time before the day starts or some time to catch up on the news before breakfast. But for the millions of people like Lori who are living with plaque psoriasis, hitting the snooze button in the morning is often an act of desperation, following an exhausting night of tossing and turning and being unable to sleep due to the physical symptoms brought on by the condition.

“For me, the most difficult part of living with plaque psoriasis is the itching, the burning, the waking up in the middle of the night because of how uncomfortable it is,” says Lori, who has been living with plaque psoriasis for 15 years. “And then on top of that having to deal with how society sees me, the looks, and the questions… It’s a very difficult disease to live with. I’m embarrassed a lot of times when I go out because it’s so visible.”

Psoriasis is a complex and chronic inflammatory disease that impacts approximately 8 million Americans and 125 million people worldwide. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis, accounting for about 80% to 90% of cases.^[1],[2],[3]

Signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis may vary from person to person but typically include raised patches of skin with silvery-white or gray scale that can be itchy, painful and disfiguring. It can appear on any part of the body, but is most common on the elbows, torso, scalp and legs. It can also appear in less common areas, such as the soles of a person’s feet, hands, and even sensitive areas like the eyelids or groin.^[1]

Beyond the outward symptoms of plaque psoriasis, the condition can take a significant toll on a person’s day-to-day life — impacting their psychological health and overall quality of life.^[4]

“As my plaque psoriasis progressed and my flare ups got worse, it affected what I wore, what I did and even my self-esteem,” says Lori. “I began avoiding clothes that didn’t cover up my plaques, and when my flares were at their worst with the constant itching and bleeding, I would avoid going out in public at all because the stares and questions were difficult to address.”

Because there is not a “one-size-fits all” treatment option, and because many treatment options may force people with plaque psoriasis to make compromises in treatment safety and tolerability, people like Lori who live with this chronic and debilitating disease may endure a frustrating trial-and-error process managing their condition. The journey to find a treatment that is right for them can be difficult.^[5],[6]

“The challenges of living with plaque psoriasis are more than skin deep. Typically, patients start with topical steroids which vary in their regimen instructions, are limited by where they can be used on the body and are limited in how long and how often they can be used overall,” says board-certified dermatologist Sandra M. Johnson, MD, FAAD, of Johnson Dermatology in Fort Smith, AR.

She adds, “Because of this, patients tend to cycle on and off steroid treatments, which can lead to reports of a lower quality of life, particularly when the condition interferes with their sleep, work, and social activities. Higher quality of life can be linked to treatment adherence, but treatment adherence can be difficult when patients may be unhappy with their plaque psoriasis treatment. This is why it’s critical to introduce novel topical therapies that are safe and effective that patients want to use and can use long term.”

Lori shares many of these common treatment experiences, noting that she tried different creams that were both prescribed and over the counter, in addition to biologics. Eventually she would find these topical treatments did not give her the results she was looking for and that biologics were not the right choice for her. A couple of years ago, she decided to join a clinical trial to see if a new type of topical treatment would help.

“I see a lot of patients living with plaque psoriasis, and finding the right treatment for each individual can take some trial and error,” says Jennifer Soung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and the director of clinical research at Southern California Dermatology in Santa Ana, CA. “Though the plaque psoriasis treatment landscape has evolved significantly to make room for oral treatments and biologics that treat more severe forms of plaque psoriasis, there is a large need for new topical treatments and particularly for non-steroids.”

Fortunately, there’s hope. On May 23, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved VTAMA^® (tapinarof) cream, 1%, a once daily, cosmetically elegant, prescription topical treatment for adults living with mild, moderate, and severe plaque psoriasis. Thanks to clinical trial participants like Lori, this approval makes VTAMA cream the first and only steroid-free topical medication in its class in the U.S. following 25 years of minimal innovation in the topical psoriasis treatment landscape.^[7]

With this FDA approval, people like Lori living with plaque psoriasis have access to a steroid-free topical treatment, in the form of a convenient, once-daily cream, that is backed by extensive clinical trial data supporting its strong safety and efficacy profile — even with long-term use, as demonstrated in clinical trials over 52 weeks, and on sensitive areas, such as the face, groin and underarms.^[8]

For Lori, the FDA approval of VTAMA cream means that she can effectively treat her plaque psoriasis. With control over her psoriasis, she doesn’t always have to hide visible, itchy and painful plaques behind her clothes, and she is able to attend events without feeling ashamed.

Lori is sharing her story to encourage others going through a similar experience with plaque psoriasis to never give up hope. “While in the VTAMA cream clinical trials, my plaques started clearing. Knowing I have a plaque psoriasis treatment that works for me put a smile back on my face again.”

The most common side effects (incidence ≥1%) of VTAMA cream include red raised bumps around the hair pores (folliculitis), pain or swelling in the nose and throat (nasopharyngitis), skin rash or irritation including itching and redness, peeling, burning or stinging (contact dermatitis), headache, itching (pruritus), and flu (influenza).

If you’re struggling with plaque psoriasis, talk to your doctor to learn if VTAMA cream may be right for you. “Never stop advocating for your health — don’t accept that your disease controls you,” says Dr. Johnson.

Sandra M. Johnson, MD, FAAD and Jennifer Soung, MD are paid consultants of Dermavant Sciences, Inc.

For more information about VTAMA cream, speak to your dermatologist or visit www.VTAMA.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Indication: VTAMA^® (tapinarof) cream, 1% is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. Adverse Events: The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 1%) in subjects treated with VTAMA cream were folliculitis (red raised bumps around the hair pores), nasopharyngitis (pain or swelling in the nose and throat), contact dermatitis (skin rash or irritation, including itching and redness, peeling, burning, or stinging), headache, pruritus (itching), and influenza (flu).

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information here.

VTAMA is a registered trademark of Dermavant Sciences, GmbH.

2022-10-03T08:01:00

(BPT) – This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences.

Each year, millions of Americans are impacted by mental health conditions. Recognized during the first week of October, Mental Illness Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of the 1 in 5 Americans experiencing mental illness each year, dispel common misperceptions, and provide support to all impacted, including people with experience with a mental health condition, care partners, and advocates.

Marilyn, who hails from a small town in Colorado, was diagnosed with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter nearly 40 years ago. As her condition worsened, she was also diagnosed with anxiety and bipolar disorder.

“I have been to so many primary healthcare providers, neurologists, and psychiatrists for my mental health conditions, and we’ve tried many different medications,” said Marilyn. After taking antipsychotics for six years, Marilyn experienced involuntary movements such as pronounced lip smacking.

Unfortunately, these involuntary movements did not go away and continued to be disruptive nearly two years later. What Marilyn did not know was that the involuntary movements are a condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD).

TD is a real, chronic condition that affects approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. It’s a condition where people taking certain mental health medicines (antipsychotics) experience mild, moderate, or severe uncontrollable movements in different parts of their bodies.

“I was constantly moving uncontrollably and could never keep still. It was especially bad in my face, fingers, and feet,” said Marilyn. “I didn’t want to socialize anymore because I was so self-conscious of my movements.”

Everyday activities like sitting in a car or watching football games with her family were difficult due to her uncontrollable movements in her legs and hands. After speaking with her psychiatrist and then her neurologist about these movements, she was diagnosed with TD.

Marilyn’s doctor shared information with her about INGREZZA^® (valbenazine) capsules, a prescription medicine to treat adults with the uncontrollable movements of TD. After reviewing the benefits and side effects, including the most common side effect of sleepiness, together they decided that INGREZZA, a simple one capsule, once-daily treatment, was the choice for her.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

After starting INGREZZA, Marilyn saw a reduction in her movements, and therefore was able to return to the activities she enjoyed. “I can now sit in my chair and cheer on my teams,” she said. “It feels good to be able to engage in one of my favorite pastimes again with my family.”

This Mental Illness Awareness Week, Marilyn wants to share her story to help others and encourage those experiencing involuntary movements to talk to their doctor.

“Stories like Marilyn’s highlight how living with a mental health condition and TD is not only debilitating but can have a significant emotional and social impact as well,” said Dr. Leslie Lundt, Executive Medical Director at Neurocrine Biosciences. “Mental Illness Awareness Week is an important time to broaden the conversation around mental health and associated challenges and help those who may be experiencing TD understand there are treatment options to help.”

To learn more about TD and INGREZZA, talk to your doctor or visit INGREZZA.com for more safety information.

Important Information

Approved Use

INGREZZA^® (valbenazine) capsules is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts that cannot be controlled (tardive dyskinesia).

It is not known if INGREZZA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take INGREZZA if you:

• are allergic to valbenazine, or any of the ingredients in INGREZZA.

INGREZZA may cause serious side effects, including:

• Sleepiness (somnolence). Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how INGREZZA affects you.
• Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation). INGREZZA may cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation.

Symptoms of QT prolongation may include:

fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat	shortness of breath
dizziness or fainting

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a change in your heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if you faint.

• Abnormal movements (Parkinson-like). Symptoms include: shaking, body stiffness, trouble moving or walking, or keeping your balance.

Before taking INGREZZA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you: have liver or heart problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effect of INGREZZA is sleepiness (somnolence). Other side effects include changes in balance (balance problems, dizziness) or an increased risk of falls, headache, feelings of restlessness, dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.

These are not all of the possible side effects of INGREZZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see accompanying INGREZZA full Product Information.

This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Marilyn was compensated by Neurocrine Biosciences to share her story.

©2022 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CP-VBZ-US-2126 10/2022

2022-10-03T10:01:00

(BPT) – Addiction is a disease that can be mentally and physically debilitating. If you or a loved one struggle with addiction, you know how dark it can be. Taking the next step and exploring rehab options can bring light into the darkness so you can fight — and ultimately win — the battle against addiction.

Millions of people in the United States have a substance use disorder and are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs. Even though you feel alone in your struggles, it’s important to know many people have walked in your shoes and found hope to overcome addiction.

“After finding the right rehab option, it’s time to prepare for the next steps. When a person first enters an addiction rehab center, they may be at risk of experiencing withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal can be an uncomfortable process, and the person may benefit from medical treatments in order to make the process less difficult,” said Debra Lloyd at California Behavioral Health. “This is why many people start their rehab experience in a detox center where medical treatments are available. Trained medical personnel may treat the individual with medications in order to decrease discomfort and reduce the risk of complications associated with substance withdrawal.”

Inpatient rehab

Inpatient rehab is one of the most effective treatment options for addicts because it separates the person from temptations and home stressors so they can focus 100% on recovery. Those struggling with addiction undergo the rehabilitation process with medical professionals, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, and their peers.

Inpatient rehab is a big step so it’s important to know what to expect. First, learn your options so you can choose the right rehab facility for you. Keep in mind, location, insurance acceptance, facility and personnel credentials, and staff-to-patient ratio are all important things to consider.

Better Addiction Care is a helpful resource when gathering rehab information, offering confidential, no-cost information via private phone calls through one or more of their treatment clients about addiction and rehabilitation treatment. The organization has a nationwide directory of substance abuse treatment facilities which includes some of the country’s top rehab centers.

After finding the right rehab option, it’s time to prepare for the next steps. When a person first enters an addiction rehab center, it’s likely that they have some drugs currently in their system. They must get all substances out of their body, but this can be a difficult and uncomfortable process.

This is why many people start their rehab experience in a detox center so they can go through a medically assisted detox. These centers are often located in the rehab facility and help patients safely through withdrawal, a process that may include prescription medication like anti-nausea medicine or anticonvulsants to treat symptoms.

“Professionals help patients flush addictive substances out of their system and manage withdrawal symptoms,” explained David Levin from Legacy Healing Center. “In particular, substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, so medical monitoring is essential.”

Rehab schedules

After detox is complete you can begin full treatment. Your daily schedule at rehab may vary based on your needs and interests. A day at rehab may include:

• Group counseling
• Family therapy
• Individual therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy
• 12-step meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous
• Non-12-step meetings, such as SMART Recovery
• Scheduled mealtimes
• Free time to exercise, take walks, read, participate in creative arts therapy

Rehab length

Most people who enter an addiction treatment center for inpatient care stay 90 to 120 days. However, it’s important to remember that addiction is a lifelong struggle. Once you near the end of your inpatient rehab program, your treatment team will work with you to create an aftercare plan to help prevent relapse once you return home.

“Inpatient rehab helps you overcome addiction and provides you the skills needed to live a sober life,” Dr. Christian Small of California Behavioral Health said. “Keep in mind, people who have been free of drugs or alcohol for years still say they are in recovery. Even if they aren’t using they know addiction is a disease that requires them to be aware of temptations and use the skills they’ve learned at rehab and through therapy to maintain sobriety.”

2022-10-04T05:01:01

(BPT) – Your digital accounts and online activities may make your life easier and perhaps even more enjoyable, but did you know every time you log in, it’s a chance for cybercriminals to hack your information and exploit it in numerous ways?

Hacking threats are constant. According to research from the University of Maryland, cyber attacks happen every 39 seconds on average. What’s more, hackers get more sophisticated every day. The good news is, there are steps you can take to greatly lower your chances of becoming a cybercrime victim.

1. Authorize multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (commonly known as MFA) is one of the best steps you can take to secure your accounts. And the good news is it’s already offered on many of your favorite applications and services today. MFA acts as an additional step to protect your accounts in addition to your username and password.

For example, if you sign into an account with two-factor authentication, the system may request you enter a one-time code sent to the phone number you have on file. You’ll confirm your identity by typing the number that was texted in the sign-on request. Often these codes are only activated for a short period of time for added protection.

2. Adopt physical authentication

Not all multi-factor authentication is created equal, and SMS or mobile authentication has been proven to be vulnerable to phishing. The modern and most effective approach to keeping you and your data protected is using phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication solutions such as a hardware security key. YubiKeys are small physical keys you tap on your phone or plug into your computer’s USB port to verify it’s you. Essentially, they’re like a key to your online accounts, similar to a house key or car key.

A single YubiKey has multiple functions for securing your login to email, online services, apps and computers. Because it’s something you carry with you, it’s far more secure than digital alternatives — so much so that there have been zero reported account takeovers. The YubiKey is used by thousands of businesses and is also available for individuals so you can add a higher level of online protection for yourself and your loved ones.

3. Use a password manager

Every password you use should be complex, with a mix of different letters, numbers and symbols. A password manager can create a unique, random password for each of your accounts. Better yet, it stores your passwords in an encrypted database to keep them safe while helping to ensure that you, and only you, will be able to access them easily when going online. And when you update your passwords — which you should do regularly — they are updated in the manager as well.

Additionally, don’t forget to protect your password manager with MFA. Pairing your hardware security key with it will give you the ultimate protection. That way, if someone gets your master password for your password manager, they won’t be able to log in without physically having your security key, too.

Finally, for your accounts or favorite sites that don’t offer MFA, reach out to them and encourage them to provide you the tools you need to protect yourself.

2022-10-04T08:01:01

(BPT) – Falling temperatures don’t just mark the start of cold and flu season. There’s another virus that can have serious consequences for older adults.

Here are three things you need to know about RSV.

1. What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common and contagious virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages and typically circulates during the fall, winter and early spring.¹

“People tend to think of RSV as an illness primarily affecting infants, but this virus has the potential to impact the lungs and breathing passages of older adults as their immune systems decline with age, and adults with chronic heart and lung disease,” says Dr. Leonard Friedland, VP, Director of Scientific Affairs and Public Health, GSK Vaccines. “Being aware and taking preventative measures is especially important now as more people are gathering indoors and preparing to celebrate the holidays.”

Symptoms are typically mild and include:²

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Congestion
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing

Each year approximately 177,000 older adults are hospitalized in the United States due to RSV and of those hospitalizations, an estimated 14,000 adults die because of the infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).³ There is no vaccine or specific treatment for RSV in adults, so learning about who is at risk of severe complications from RSV and taking preventative measures are essential, especially for those who are most vulnerable.

2. Which adults are most at risk?

According to Dr. Friedland, those at a higher risk for RSV infection, include:

• Older adults, especially those aged 65 years and older
• Adults with weakened immune systems
• Adults with chronic heart or lung disease (like asthma and heart failure)

The CDC states RSV can exacerbate underlying conditions and lead to severe outcomes for at-risk adults including pneumonia, hospitalization and death.^1,4

“Co-morbidities, which occur when someone has two or more chronic conditions or diseases, are additional factors that can lead to severe complications as a result of RSV,” says Dr. Friedland. “The chance of having co-morbid illnesses increases with age, so it’s important for older adults who are experiencing these issues to talk with a healthcare professional (HCP) about their risk.”

3. How can you prevent an RSV infection?

If you are at high risk for severe RSV infection, or if you interact with an older adult, there are important prevention steps you should take, according to the CDC.⁵

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Washing your hands will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact, such as sharing cups or eating utensils with people who have cold-like symptoms.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash afterward.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that people frequently touch, such as doorknobs. When people infected with RSV touch surfaces and objects, they can leave behind germs. Also, when they cough or sneeze, viral droplets can land on surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home if you are sick to help prevent spread to others.

The bottom line

Rest and fluids are important to relieve RSV symptoms and help the body heal. Speak with a healthcare professional about using over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage fever. ² If you are having trouble breathing or your symptoms get worse, call a healthcare provider immediately.

“Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two but for some older adults, it can lead to hospitalization,” explains Dr. Friedland. “By taking preventative measures, learning who is at risk of severe complications due to RSV and maintaining communication with a healthcare provider, you can help yourself or an older loved one in your life stay healthy.”

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html.

References

1. CDC. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
2. CDC. Symptoms and Care. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html
3. CDC. RSV in Older Adults. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html
4. CDC. For Healthcare Providers. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/clinical/index.html
5. CDC. RSV Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/prevention.html