Respiratory illnesses on the rise, public health officials encourage prevention
McHENRY COUNTY — The McHenry County Department of Health is urging McHenry County residents to take steps geared toward slowing the spread of infectious respiratory diseases as cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and seasonal influenza have increased. COVID-19 cases have also begun to increase, but community levels remain low at this time.
The symptoms for all three illnesses may be indistinguishable. While some people, especially older children, may experience mild symptoms, others are at increased risk of severe complications. The best defense against respiratory viruses is to receive the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines and to stay up to date on COVID-19 boosters, including the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster for those who are eligible.
The flu vaccine is available to anyone 6 months of age or older and is strongly recommended for people who have a higher risk of developing serious complications from influenza. Those who are at higher risk include people with chronic diseases, adults 65 years of age or older, children four years of age or younger and individuals who are pregnant.
The COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot can be administered at the same time to all who are eligible. To find a participating location offering both vaccines, visit Vaccines.gov.
Additional preventative actions include:
- Practice social distancing
- Stay home when ill
- Wear a maskwith the best fit, protection and comfort when recommended
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, school and work especially when someone is ill
- Use good respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow if a tissue is unavailable
- Frequent hand washing
“With the weather changing and people heading indoors, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and your family is to get your flu shot and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine,” said Susan Karras, MCDH’s Director for Public Health Nursing. “Through our infectious disease surveillance, we have identified an unusual increase in RSV and influenza cases than what we typically see at this time, which could indicate we are headed toward a fall and winter with increased levels of respiratory illnesses circulating in our community.”
Respiratory syncytial virus is a common seasonal infection that can infect anyone but can cause serious illness to infants under 6 months of age, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of RSV usually occur within 4 to 6 days of infection and are similar to the common cold, ranging from a persistent cough and wheezing to fever. RSV can spread through direct contact, droplets from a cough or sneeze or on surfaces. Compared to previous years, the circulation of RSV in McHenry County has been elevated since September with the percent of emergency department visits for RSV currently over two times higher than peak RSV activity in the past.
Influenza season began at the beginning of October, but positive cases of influenza in McHenry County over the past week indicate a dramatic increase that is usually observed when flu activity increases in circulation between late December and early January. The best way to prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination, so it’s important to get vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of getting the virus.
COVID-19’s community levels have been low in McHenry County for the past several weeks, but infections of the virus have spiked during the fall and winter months in 2021. The virus continues to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including older adults and people who are immunocompromised. Vaccination against the virus and staying up to date with a booster dose is the best way to prevent COVID-19.
For more information about RSV, influenza or COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
