Doctor offers tips to stay healthy this Thanksgiving

PITTSBURGH — With Thanksgiving around the corner, Channel 11 spoke with an Allegheny Health Network doctor about the safest ways for families to gather amid a surge in viruses.

“Right now, we’re in the perfect storm, of four different types of viruses circulating, and a lot of them have the same symptoms,” said AHN physician Dr. Brian Lamb.

This year, COVID isn’t the only virus to cause alarm. According to Lamb, flu is spreading fast, with our region reporting thousands more cases so far this season than at this time last year. RSV, too, has been spreading among children and even adults. The common cold is also, as always, causing sickness.

“It’s been just insane,” Lamb said.

With that being the case, families who intend to gather for the upcoming holidays should not panic.

“We’re not going back to where we were during the pandemic, where you couldn’t get together whatsoever,” Lamb said. “But please try to think about how many people you’re going to have and make sure your space is adequate.”

Lamb suggests that people open a few windows if the weather permits in order to get fresh air in circulation. People should also social distance as much as possible, and he suggests anyone who is immunocompromised should consider wearing a mask.

If you’re sick, stay home, and consider postponing.

Anyone experiencing symptoms is also advised to get tested. Lamb said the COVID-19 rapid tests are still effective, but they can yield a false negative if taken too soon.

“If you test negative on the first day of symptoms, you have to retest,” he said. “If you test positive, that’s reliable. If you test positive, you know you have it.”

Flu tests can also be administered by physicians. Lamb said it’s important to know what virus you’re dealing with because the treatments vary.

And, he said, it isn’t too late to get your vaccines. Lamb urges eligible individuals to get their COVID booster shot and their flu vaccine.

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