With the start of school and the onset of winter, we can expect a rise in respiratory viruses. This year, it’s crucial to safeguard yourself, your children, and your family from all respiratory infections, particularly the more severe ones like influenza (flu), RSV, and COVID. Because respiratory muscles can be weakened in individuals with Duchenne and Becker, it may be more challenging to fend off infections resulting in increased risk of respiratory complications. To minimize the risk of respiratory illnesses, there are a few things you and your family can do.

There a few things you need to know about these viruses and how to keep you and your loved ones protected:

• Get vaccinated – vaccinations against influenza and COVID-19 are the best way to prevent infections from these viruses. While it cannot be 100% guaranteed, vaccination has been proven to result in fewer cases of influenza & COVID-19 and milder, shorter illness for those who do become infected with these viruses. 
  • Discuss your eligibility for vaccinations with your neuromuscular doctor and/or primary care provider
  • Read more about CDC recommendations for the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines or ask your healthcare provider for more information
  • While there are FDA-approved vaccines for RSV, they are currently only approved for adults ages 60 years and older, mothers during pregnancy and babies up to 8 months old born during or entering their first RSV season 

• Protect your family – Because people living with Duchenne are vulnerable, it is important for those close to them to be vaccinated to reduce risk of exposure. This includes family, friends and other caregivers
  • Vaccinating family members can reduce your risk of becoming ill, even if you are not vaccinated yourself 

• Avoid illness – Good hand hygiene is the number 1 way to prevent illness from spreading. Wipe down high-touch surfaces such as wheelchairs, table tops, desks, phones, tablets, and more. Droplets containing germs can live on these surfaces and can put individuals at risk of infection
• Avoid others who are sick – If you are able to avoid others who are sick, it can decrease the risk of viruses spreading to you and/or your family. If you are unable to avoid others who are sick, or are sick yourself, consider wearing a mask to decrease the risk of infection spread.

When to seek medical care

Because flu, COVID-19 and RSV have similar symptoms, it is important to seek medical care if you suspect you or your child has an infection. 

See this comparison chart from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for common symptoms:

COVID vs. Flu vs. RSV vs. Common Cold comparison chart 

Be sure to contact your primary care provider and/or neuromuscular team directly for medical advice. If you are worried about your child, do not wait to call. You can find a list of CDCC emergency numbers here. It’s also important to be familiar with the Duchenne and Becker Emergency Care Guidelines, including oxygen precautions. Be sure to share this information with medical providers if they are unfamiliar with Duchenne or Becker. Additionally, if you/your child takes steroids, stress dosing while sick may be indicated. Review the PJ Nicholoff Steroid protocol and talk to your doctor about whether stress dosing is needed during illness.

*If your child is having trouble breathing, is lethargic, has blue lips or fingernails, call 911 as this is an emergency. 

How to manage my child’s pulmonary care when sick

Managing you/your child’s pulmonary care while sick is critically important. Watch PPMD’s webinar with pulmonary experts from our Certified Duchenne Care Centers on how to identify and manage you/your child’s respiratory symptoms during the winter months. 

Watch: Pulmonary Management in Winter Season 

Don’t forget to keep PPMD’s Safe and Unsafe Medication List on hand!

Learn more about caring for the flu here. For the most up to date information on flu, COVID and RSV visit cdc.gov