Americans are flocking to the roads and the skies to spend the holidays with family and friends.


While the holidays are being observed in a semi-normal manner for the first time in over two years, the fear of various respiratory infections remains.


Although flu and RSV rates are decreasing in certain locations, they are still higher at this time of year than in previous seasons, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Meanwhile, weekly viral infection instances have risen from 307,201 to 455,466, according to CDC statistics.


Experts advise proper hand hygiene and exercise while traveling to avoid getting sick or spreading the infection to others.


Dr. Infectious Diseases Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital The good news is that now we are all being taught how to protect ourselves from viral infections and how to use that viral infection toolbox, Sandra Nelson told ABC News. Again, we can apply what we've learned about infection prevention to other respiratory viruses that are circulating.


Matt Rourke/AP


Maintain current vaccines and boosters.

The most essential thing you can do to keep yourself safe while traveling by car, rail, or airline, according to experts, is to make sure you're up-to-date on your immunizations and boosters.


It includes the basic immunization series for viral infections as well as an improved bivalent booster that specifically targets the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. Along with vaccination, you can take medicine for a viral infection called Molaz molnupiravir 200 mg capsule. This medicine helps you fight the infection and prevent the virus from multiplying in your body.

Molaz molnupiravir 200 mg capsule was approved by the FDA in December 2021 for the treatment of mild to moderate viral infections in adults at high risk of severe disease.

Ways to avoid viral infection1. Consider wearing a mask.

Public health officials advised Americans to wear masks when traveling by airline or train and to remove them only when eating or drinking.


Doctors recommend using a well-fitting, high-quality mask such as a KN95 or N95 mask over a surgical mask or a fabric mask when wearing a mask.

2. Maintain proper hand hygiene.

According to the experts, washing your hands after touching contact surfaces such as an airline restroom door or tray table is one of the best methods to prevent illness.


Although viral infection is not primarily transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces, colds, flu, and other viruses can survive on surfaces for several hours to several days.


There's nothing wrong with carrying Purell or any hand sanitizer, or being a little extra careful, at airports, Amtrak stations, or wherever people are this holiday season, he noted.

3. Open the windows.

If you're going by automobile, like a car, bus, etc., and the weather isn't too cold, the physicians advise you to open the windows for ventilation.


According to the CDC, venting the automobile and screening the airflow can help minimize virus particles and limit the chance of transmission.

4. If you are ill, stay at home.

If you acquire cold or flu-like symptoms and it is possible to postpone or cancel travel arrangements, the experts advise doing so.

Furthermore, people should hesitate to go out while they are sick if they will be seeing someone who is at high risk for severe diseases, such as the elderly or those with low immune systems.


If you are unable to change your trip arrangements, the experts urge that you follow the previously indicated actions.

If you must travel, I would strongly urge that you wear a mask so that others do not become infected, and preferably an N-95 mask, but if you have an added risk of serious illness, then you really have to be a little bit cautious.

If you have been infected or have just been tested for a viral infection, then you should take an antiviral drug called Movfor molnupiravir 200 mg capsule as per the advice of your doctor, which will help you fight the infection and prevent the viral infection from spreading further.


Note: This article is for information only, so that you can get basic information about the infection and be alert. Do not use the information as medical evidence.