In the majority of U.S. states, levels of respiratory illness are currently classified as “high” and “very extremely high” in accordance with data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Certain respiratory diseases are behind the up trend. “The the influenza virus may be what’s currently exploding,” says Dr. Steven Stack, public health commissioner for the state of Kentucky and the president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. “Influenza is rapidly increasing and causing more hospitalizations.”
The national levels of respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) seem to have reached a plateau and may have even peaked however, COVID-19 levels are high and could climb higher.
“After the holiday season, when we’ve been out and about the family, we’re witnessing the typical thing that happens at this season that is lots of respiratory infections,” doctor. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC. “We’re experiencing particularly high levels of levels of circulation in the southeast however, no region of the country is unaffected.”
A delayed start to the virus season
The flu is expected to hit earlier in the season, but compare it to the 2022-2023 seasons in which “RSV as well as flu swept off at the same as COVID,” states Marlene Wolfe who is an associate instructor of health and environmental sciences in Emory University and a program director at WastewaterScan. “All three were very bad. In this year’s edition, we’ve got a bit more than an offset.”
This has been a good sign so far for capacity at hospitals that has remained steady this time of year, which means those who are seriously ill and require medical treatment can generally get it.
Some hospitals in different parts of the country — from Massachusetts to Illinois to California — are starting to require masks for staff again and in some cases for patients and visitors.
The vaccines may still be helpful.
Health experts say taking the latest flu and COVID-19 vaccines right now is a good idea to protect yourself this season. While Stack of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, suggests seasonal preventive shots for anyone who is 6 months or older He says it’s especially crucial especially for “everybody who is olderor even aged, but rather those who are young, 60 or more,” since they are more likely to become sick from these infections.
CDC information shows that less then half U.S. adults have received a flu vaccine in the fall and winter. This is still higher than the rates for the current season’s COVID-19 booster that less than 20 percent from U.S. adults have gotten however COVID-19 is the most dangerous.
“The factor that is sending people in the hospital and at times, even endangering their life — the disease that’s still the most dangerous [at present” is COVID virus” according to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cohen, noting the most recent data from the week which show 29,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations as well as 1,200 COVID-19 deaths across the United States.
Beyond vaccinations, health experts claim there is still a need for masking to prevent.
Testing earlier can be helpful in the treatment process.
People who are sick should be at home and observe the symptoms. If they go beyond nasal runny and a slight cough “to body pain, fevers, difficulties in getting through your day, a more severe runny nose, or worsening cough … [those more severe symptoms] should prompt you to seek out a test,” says Cohen.
Being tested and diagnosed early in the case of COVID-19 or flu, can assist people at risk of getting a serious illness to access prescribed medications that could lower the chance of being admitted to the hospital.
The vaccines for COVID-19 and flu as well as treatments and tests should be covered under health insurance.
If you’re not insured The government is offering the program known as Test to Treat that provides free health tests, free consultations via telehealth and no-cost treatment at home.
Cohen suggests that people protect themselves in the coming weeks by keeping an eye on what’s going on in the community and in their own personal circumstances. “You need to be aware of the current situation in your area,” she says. “Is there a large amount of viruses circulating? Then, what are the methods I can use to defend myself, based on my personal characteristics and my age and risk, and the people around me?”
The CDC has COVID-19 maps and hospitalizations all the way at the level of the local government at its web site and offers weekly updates on respiratory diseases across the country. Cohen states that there are a variety of tools, such as masks, vaccines and other tests and treatments that can help individuals reduce their risk this year.
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