Respiratory Virus Information for Patients

Yes. The CDC has indicated that it is safe and effective to get the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time. It is recommended that one be given in each arm.

Immune responses wane over time after vaccination. The circulating  variants require higher levels of antibody to protect against major complications of COVID-19. Receiving an annual COVID-19 vaccines helps to improve antibody levels and have been shown to be more effective at preventing hospitalization and death due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

According to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Medical Director of Infection Prevention, Dr. Steven Pergam, patients with blood malignancies (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma) and those who have received bone marrow transplants are most vulnerable because they have the most profound immune deficits.

Patients who are in active treatment for any type of cancer are also at risk. Please see the CDC's webpage on COVID-19 and cancer for more information

Patients who are not in active treatment should also be cautious and follow widely distributed public health guidelines that are detailed below under “What can I do to keep myself, my family and friends safe?”

Paxlovid is a medicine given to treat people with COVID-19 . It is used to reduce the risk of being hospitalized or dying in people who are at high risk. Paxlovid is a combination of antivirals called nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. It is not a substitute for getting vaccinated and boosted.

To be eligible for Paxlovid, you must be at least 12 years old.

If you have symptoms that could be from COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible. Paxlovid may be an option for you and works best when started early.

If you think you might be eligible, talk with your care team or your primary care provider. 

There may be some drug interactions that need to be reviewed prior to prescribing Paxlovid.

COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Chest tightness
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose/congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell
• New onset of diarrhea
• Muscle aches and pains

• If you have an appointment scheduled and have COVID-19 symptoms, please call your care team before coming to the clinic.
• Knowing about symptoms before you come into the clinic helps us keep everyone safe.

The flu, RSV and COVID-19 are all contagious illnesses, but they are caused by different respiratory viruses. The flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) RSV is caused by respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus. It may be hard to tell the difference between the flu, RSV and COVID-19 from symptoms alone because some of the symptoms are similar. You should get tested to help confirm a diagnosis.

The most important steps to take are:

• Get vaccinated according to the CDC.
• Avoid going to gatherings with large numbers of people; stay home when you are sick.
• Wear a mask when you are out in public in crowded, indoor spaces.
• Wear a mask when in a health care setting, including Fred Hutch clinics.
• Practice good hand hygiene and healthy habits when coughing and sneezing. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Plan how you will take care of sick family members. Make plans for childcare if you are sick or if your child is sick. Have a thermometer at home so you can check for fever if you or a loved one feels ill.
• Stay informed – check the CDC site regularly for the latest updates.

Tell your care team immediately – it is best to inform them before you visit the clinic. They will let you know what options are available for your visit. 

Patients with symptoms will be given a procedure mask and evaluated during their appointment.

Learn when to self-test at home from King County Public Health’s COVID-19 self-testing webpage. 

If you are a Fred Hutch patient with symptoms and think you need to be tested for COVID-19, please complete a home test or seek out a community testing option.

You can also call your care team, and they can help you find the best option. 

 Antigen tests provide rapid results — typically in less than 30 minutes. Although they are less accurate than PCR tests, at-home antigen tests can be a helpful measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Find a COVID-19 testing site from the Washington State Department of Health.

In addition to knowing which guidelines to follow, testing is important because many of the current treatment options for cancer patients, such as antiviral pills, require a test before you can get them. As a reminder, if you have cold or flu symptoms, tell your care team — even if you test negative for COVID-19. They may want to change your treatment schedule or conduct further testing.

If you took a test because you have symptoms or because you have been exposed but don’t have symptoms, here’s what to do.

• You tested negative: Contact your care team to get a PCR test to confirm your result.
• You tested positive: You have COVID-19. Notify your care team. Isolate at home. Do not seek further testing unless directed by your team. 

• Tell your care team immediately. They will discuss any changes in your treatment and COVID-19 treatment options available to you.

• Tell your care team before your visit so they can advise you about the best time to come for your visit or if they want you to get additional testing.

Patients and Caregivers:
Unless they have respiratory symptoms, masking is recommended for patients and their caregivers. Masking continues to be strongly recommended for patients, caregivers and visitors when in clinic, especially during encounters with health care workers and when in crowded waiting areas.

Health Care Workers:
Masks are strongly recommended for health care workers.

In Washington state, masks are no longer required in most public places. However, health care facilities and businesses may choose to continue requiring masks.

In Washington state, masks are no longer required in most public places. However, health care facilities and businesses may choose to continue requiring masks. 

Masks are still a good way to help limit the spread of COVID-19. CDC continues to recommend masks in some settings and for some people. CDC recommends masks for people who are at high risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, including people with cancer, if the level of COVID-19 in their community is medium or high. Learn more on the CDC website.