Ask the Doctor: The Latest on the New COVID Variant XBB.1.5, Long COVID, Flu and RSV

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

COVID cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, in part to the new variant XBB.1.5. Dr. James McDeavitt explains the traits of this new variant, how easily it’s transmitted and the effectiveness of the vaccine.  Plus, he discusses long COVID and what we can expect from future mutations of the virus. 

Dr. McDeavitt also weighs in on the surge of COVID-related deaths in China and how they’re dealing with the overwhelming death toll they’re experiencing in the aftermath of moving away from their strict zero-COVID policy.

Then, Dr. Michael Chang continues the conversation with his thoughts on how COVID symptoms have changed throughout the pandemic and answers questions from listeners about long COVID.

Plus, Dr. Chang shares the latest on the flu and RSV and if they have waned from its peak before the holiday season.

To learn how you can stay up to date on COVID vaccines based on manufacturer and previous doses, click here.

Guests:

Dr. James McDeavitt

Executive Vice President and Dean of Clinical Affairs, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Michael Chang, MD

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physician at UTHealth Houston and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital

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