Dealing with the cold and flu season when you have PF

Posted by MG Community Member on January 13, 2026 at 9:14 am

I live in Virginia, where flu cases are among the highest seen in a long time. In Northern Virginia, a heavily populated part of the commonwealth, local media is reporting 22% of emergency room visits are due to respiratory issues, including the flu. It’s a very difficult season, especially for those of us with PF.

How do you manage during cold and flu season? If you stay home as much as possible during this time, how do you avoid feelings of isolation?

MG Community Member replied 3 months, 1 week ago 2 Members · 2 Replies

2 Replies

MG Community Member

Member
January 13, 2026 at 3:18 pm

My suggestions to lower your chance of getting respiratory viruses are the following, in order of importance: get vaccinated, wear a mask in crowded places (supermarkets, theaters, subways, buses), wash your hands often & do not have contact with those who have symptoms. If you do contract either flu, take Tamiflu, or covid (Paxlovid) within 48 hrs. These antiviral agents will definitely lessen your symptoms & hopefully, keep you from hospitalization. Buy at home test kits that detect both flu & covid. I purchased mine from Amazon.
- MG Community Member
  
  Member
  January 17, 2026 at 9:22 pm
  
  All good suggestions, Phyllis. The only thing I would add is to contact your care team immediately, whether you are pre- or post-transplant.