Updated on Dec 5, 2025 | Your Health

As the colder weather is here and children typically spend more time indoors and in close contact, it’s common to see a rise in cases of respiratory viruses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We have also seen what we now recognize as a seasonal rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the summer. Those combined with back-to-school season make it particularly important to stay vigilant with your child’s health and vaccinations.
Jennifer Duchon, MD, DrPH, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, offers ways you can keep your child protected and discusses vaccination recommendations.
“Vaccines for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are our most important tools for preventing these viruses and their complications,” says Dr. Duchon. “Staying up to date on vaccinations is critical to safeguarding not only ourselves but our most vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.”
In addition, there are practices you can teach your child to prevent the spread of viruses. It’s recommended that everyone follow these tips:
- Wash hands often and with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes and sneeze into a tissue.
- Avoid touching your face or rubbing your eyes.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- If you are sick, try to stay home.
- Keep kids at home when they are sick.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces often.
“Recently, there has been a lot of information and ‘disinformation’ about vaccines in general, and information that seems conflicting can be very confusing. The vaccines that we give to children are safe and prevent serious complication from the disease that they target,” Dr. Duchon says. “The best place to get information is your pediatrician or other health care provider who cares for your family, and whom you trust. Part of our job as physicians is answering your questions, so please do not hesitate to ask.”
COVID-19
Though COVID-19 cases are much lower than during the pandemic, there are still cases that arise throughout the year, and it’s advised that parents remain cautious.
Some symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion and fatigue. Symptoms may be similar to a cold or the flu, so it’s important that if your child presents any symptoms, they get a test to determine the best course of treatment.
It’s recommended that children over six months old receive the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they have received doses of earlier versions. The updated COVID-19 vaccines are aimed at protecting people from the latest strains of the virus. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are similar to earlier versions, relying on the same “messenger RNA” or “mRNA” technology and are expected to remain effective as the new strains emerge throughout the year.
RSV
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) commonly causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people, but can cause very severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, in very young infants and elderly people. The RSV “season” typically starts in October in the Northeast, and cases tend to reach a peak in December. Babies and young children are more at risk to develop severe RSV.
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than one year of age. Additionally, most of the deaths or severe disease from RSV occur in infants up to six months old.
The most at-risk groups are premature infants; infants younger than six months of age; children younger than two with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease; children with weakened immune systems; and children who have neuromuscular disorders.
Early symptoms for infants and children include a runny nose, eating or drinking less, or a cough, which may progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing. Very young infants may display irritability, decreased activity, eating or drinking less or apnea (pauses in breathing for more than 10 seconds).
There are two immunization strategies available to protect infants. Babies and some young children may receive an immunization containing an antibody against RSV (passive immunization) called nirsevimab. Nirsevimab contains monoclonal antibodies, which are man-made proteins that protect against RSV. Studies on the U.S. population have shown that this immunization reduces the risk of severe RSV disease by approximately 80 percent. It’s recommended that infants less than eight months of age get this immunization between October and March.
Additionally, pregnant mothers may receive an RSV maternal vaccine (active vaccination), Abrysvo®, at weeks 32-36 of pregnancy. When a person receives this vaccine, their body responds by making antibodies that protect against RSV. These antibodies are then passed to the baby. This vaccine is more than 80 percent effective in preventing severe RSV disease through three months of age and about 70 percent effective through six months of age. Immunization is recommended between September and January.
Speak to your health care provider to learn more about these vaccines and choose the right option for you.
Influenza
Children younger than five, and especially those younger than two, are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Children of any age with certain chronic health conditions are also at a higher risk. While children over five are not at a higher risk, they can spread the flu to vulnerable groups, such as older family members. Also, children who catch the flu will feel miserable.
It’s recommended that children over six months old get vaccinated, not only for their own protection, but to protect those around them. There are two types of vaccine options currently available: the flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine. Speak to your child’s health care provider to find out which vaccine would be right for your child. It’s recommended to get vaccinated between September and October, but vaccination can occur any time if your child has not gotten the flu vaccine yet.
Nov 25, 2024 | Featured, Your Health

True or false: Lung cancer only affects those who have smoked a long time. The answer: False.
The actual connection between smoking and lung cancer is one of three key takeaways about lung cancer from the experts at Mount Sinai.
- Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but not the only cause. Smoking is responsible for about 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases. But a growing number of nonsmokers are being diagnosed with lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and how long someone has smoked. For non-smokers, a family history, secondhand smoke and exposure to chemicals like radon and asbestos can increase the risk of lung cancer.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and is the deadliest type of cancer for both men and women.
- Early diagnosis is important. Lung cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment options are limited. Early diagnosis can make a big difference in survival rates.
The symptoms of lung cancer are the same whether or not you have smoked. Some people have general symptoms of not feeling well or feeling tired all the time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people cough frequently, cough up blood, or have chest pain, wheezing, or shortness of breath. These symptoms can happen with other illnesses. If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor, who can help find the cause.
Here are more important updates on lung cancer prevention and treatment from the Center of Excellence for Thoracic Oncology, led by co-directors Fred R. Hirsch, MD, PhD, and Andrew J Kaufman, MD, and the entire team at Mount Sinai Health System have vast experience researching, detecting, and treating lung cancers.
These experts note a number of important developments in the field, including improved cure rates thanks to early detection of lung cancer through low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans and by raising awareness of lung cancer risk in “never smokers.” Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is helping to find lung cancer earlier and more accurately, while a recent study points to disparities in lung cancer testing.
Cure Rate From Early Detection
Research led by Claudia Henschke, MD, PhD, Professor of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology and Director of the Early Lung and Cardiac Action Program (ELCAP) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, indicates that early detection works. In a multi-decade study (1992-2022) involving more than 31,000 people, those who detected lung cancer early through low-dose CT scans had an 81 percent survival rate after 20 years. The average five-year survival rate for all lung cancer patients is 28 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. However, only 23 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.
“Early detection is crucial in the fight against lung cancer,” said Dr. Henschke. “Our research shows that annual low-dose CT screening significantly increases survival rates by identifying cancers at their most treatable stages. We encourage individuals, especially those at higher risk, to take advantage of these screening opportunities.”
Lung Cancer in Never Smokers
According to the American Cancer Society, up to 20 percent of lung cancer cases occur in people who have never smoked. This fact helps us understand that lung cancer can affect anyone, not just smokers. Factors like exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, air pollution, asbestos, or a family history of lung cancer may increase your risk of lung cancer. Researchers estimate that second-hand smoke contributes to about 7,300 and radon to about 2,900 of these cases. Mount Sinai offers a program that allows individuals 40 and older to be screened even if they have little to no smoking history.
“Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but it’s important to recognize that it can develop in people who have never smoked or have smoked very little—fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime,” said Raja Flores, MD, Chair of Thoracic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Health System. “In fact, about 10-20 percent of lung cancers in the United States occur in individuals who have never smoked. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is an important time to highlight that many factors beyond smoking influence an individual’s lifetime risk for lung cancer. We need education about exposure and subsequent access to testing to improve early detection in all populations, regardless of smoking history.”
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Screening
Icahn Mount Sinai is advancing the use of AI technology to find lung cancer earlier and more accurately. Recently developed by the I-ELCAP team, the Open Source Automated Image Reading System (AIRS) will analyze CT scans to spot nodules that might be missed by the human eye and assess a patient’s risk for lung cancer based on their medical history and other factors. Designed as a future “rule out” tool for annual repeat and follow-up low-dose CT scans, AIRS is expected to cut radiologists’ reading time by approximately 85 percent.
“Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we approach lung cancer screening. By enhancing the analysis of CT scans, AI can help us detect growths earlier and more accurately than ever before,” said David F. Yankelevitz, MD, Director of the Lung Biopsy Service at Icahn Mount Sinai. “This technology is a tool not only to improve diagnostic precision but also to allow us to tailor screening protocols to individual patients, ultimately leading to better outcomes and survival rates.”
Disparities in Lung Cancer Testing
A recent Mount Sinai study found that people with lung cancer face significant differences in getting important tests based on their race and income. This study, led by Emanuela Taioli, MD, PhD, and her team at the Institute for Translational Epidemiology at Icahn Mount Sinai, identifies a serious concern in cancer care.
“The results of this study are important because they show that if we can fix these gaps in testing, more people will be able to get the treatments they need and improve their chances of survival,” said Dr. Taioli. “For doctors, this means they need to make sure that everyone has equal access to these important tests. For patients, especially those from lower-income or minority backgrounds, it means there’s a need for better access to treatments that can improve their health and improve their chances of survival.”
Accessing Care at Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai has broad experience with a variety of diagnostic tools and some of the most advanced treatment options in the New York City area. Here are a few of our locations across New York City and Long Island:
- Mount Sinai Brooklyn, 3201 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY
- Lung and Thoracic Cancer Services at The Mount Sinai Hospital, 1190 Fifth Avenue
For more information, please visit www.mountsinai.org/lungcancer