With COVID-19 and flu cases rising, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) affecting many young children, experts are bracing for a “tripledemic” of respiratory viruses this holiday season.

“It’s going to be a severe respiratory virus season,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael A. Ben-Aderet, associate director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai. “Getting your flu shot, getting your bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, these things will help prevent infection, reduce transmission and potentially save lives.”

Masking in crowded places and staying home when sick are crucial, Ben-Aderet said. Even if someone has symptoms but tests negative for COVID-19, they should still avoid others to limit the spread of viruses and reduce the strain on the healthcare system.

The flu and RSV might cause a mild illness in healthy adults, but they can be life-threatening for young children, older adults and people with weak immune systems, said Dr. Nancy L. Sicotte, Department of Neurology Chair and a clinician who treats immunocompromised patients.

“Even though you may feel that if you got an infection, it may not be so bad, we’re trying to keep the pressure off the hospitals,” Sicotte said. “If emergency rooms receive an influx of patients when the hospitals are quite full, this can impact their ability to take care of you or to take care of other ill patients.”

Navigating the holiday season and its social gatherings can be especially stressful for immunocompromised patients, and individuals with weak immune systems should be especially careful to avoid COVID-19 and other viral illnesses while traveling over the holidays. Masks are a must in the airport and during flights, Sicotte said.

“You know that somebody on that plane has COVID-19 because they’ve been traveling, and they got exposed,” Sicotte said. “Some people go onto the plane when they’re symptomatic these days.”

Despite all the risks, spending time with loved ones over the holidays is valuable, Sicotte said. Just be smart, she advises, and follow the recommended safety measures.

Those who get sick have options for care. Patients should contact their primary care doctor for non-emergencies such as a low-grade fever, cough, chest congestion or mild fatigue, while patients with symptoms like abdominal pain, dehydration, diarrhea, fever or chills, muscle pain or a sore throat should visit an urgent care center, Sicotte said.

For patients with the flu, it’s best to see a healthcare provider quickly after being exposed to the virus, said Dr. Bruce C. Reaves at Cedars-Sinai Urgent Care in Los Feliz. “We can prescribe Tamiflu, but it’s best to start this medication within two days of being exposed to someone who’s sick with the flu,” Reaves said.

For patients with COVID-19, Paxlovid remains one of the most effective therapies and widely available medications, Ben-Aderet said.

“It’s one of the most important tools in our arsenal for people with COVID-19,” Ben-Aderet said. “It’s been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms, shorten their duration and also reduce transmission. Patients should speak with their provider about whether it’s appropriate for them.”