The New Normal: Keeping your family safe from respiratory viruses this Thanksgiving

News 12’s Elizabeth Hashagen was joined this morning by Dr. Deena Gupta-Adimoolam to discuss keeping families safe from respiratory viruses this upcoming holiday season.

The respiratory virus season started early in kids this year and flooded children's hospitals in many parts of the country – especially with respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV. Adults can get RSV, too. While RSV does not typically send as many adults to the hospital, it can be a serious and even deadly disease for seniors and people with underlying health conditions.

This season, about 6 out of every 100,000 seniors have been hospitalized with RSV, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's significantly lower than the rate for children but still uncharacteristically high.

Health experts say with the abundance of viruses making people sneeze, cough and ache right now, testing will remain a critical tool to keep yourself and others safe during the holiday.

Meanwhile, in a new TikTok trend, people are taping their mouths shut before bed with the goal of getting better sleep, but health experts are warning of the dangers that come with it. About 1 billion people between 30 and 69 are thought to have obstructive sleep apnea.

A deadly outbreak of listeria in six states has been linked to contaminated deli meat and cheese, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced.

Experts say to keep the kitchen clean, clean your refrigerator regularly with hot water and liquid soap, and prepare meats and vegetables separately.

With Thanksgiving a week away, Dr. Gupta-Adimoolam gives tips on how to avoid overeating.