MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The countdown to Thanksgiving is officially on and many people are preparing for large gatherings with friends and family. However, before you make your plans, many health experts in Memphis want you to visit them first to receive your vaccinations. Just days before Thanksgiving as many gear up for shopping, meal prepping and serving, Memphians should also be bracing for a greater chance of spreading illnesses during gatherings with family and friends. "Well, we have had the injections, for Covid and for the flu," tourist Steve Bell said. "Also, we're always washing our hands. Yeah, we're obsessed with that sort of thing." One thing that's already making people sick is walking pneumonia. Experts offer travel tips for busy holiday week "The reason it's (walking pneumonia) making such a splash right now is because we're seeing so much of it," said Le Bonheur Medical Director of Infection Prevention Dr. Nick Hysmith. "And there's a lot of theories out there as to why that is. I'm of the opinion that we're still seeing a lot of diseases post-COVID that are sort of resurging." Walking pneumonia is a mild lung infection. Symptoms include a sore throat, sneezing, cough, mild chills and a low-grade fever. "Luckily, a lot of those kids and a lot of those adults aren't getting terribly sick enough to be admitted to the hospital," Dr. Hysmith said. Health experts are also keeping a close eye on COVID, the flu and RSV. "We're seeing some RSV already," Dr. Hysmith said. "Quite a few of our kiddos have been admitted with RSV and we're seeing quite a bit of that come through our emergency department." After a recent surge, the number of COVID cases has declined. "We had a little surge in COVID about a month or so ago in August," Dr. Hysmith said. "But we're not seeing a ton of that right now, either." And there's good news about flu cases. "We're not seeing a ton of influenza right now," Dr. Hysmith said. "We do have some sporadic cases across the community as we tend to do this time of year." Farmers donate thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes of Thanksgiving When it comes to Thanksgiving safety, if you're sick stay home, wear a mask and increase ventilation. "I think that if you haven't gotten your influenza vaccine, you've still got time to get that and get the immunity before the flu season hits," Dr. Hysmith said. "Get that RSV vaccine if you are of that age group and get your kids immunized as well." Food for thought for a happy and safe Thanksgiving. "Just don't let your guard down but also don't panic either," Dr. Hysmith said. "Sort of stay right in the middle." Doctors say getting your shots early will not only help protect you but your entire family during the upcoming holiday season.