With the winter season now in full swing, COVID-19, flu and RSV cases have been on the rise, particularly in recent months, according to Lewis Gale Hospital.
Dr. Muddasar Chaudry, an infectious disease specialist at Lewis Gale Hospital, said this flu season isn’t worse than previous years but RSV has been more severe.
[RELATED: VDH reports the first two pediatric flu deaths in Virginia]
His advice for staying safe? Do what you can to stay ahead of it with preventative measures like:
- Washing your hands
- Covering your sneezes and coughs
- Staying at home when you’re sick
- Getting your vaccines; Chaudry said it will take about two weeks to get immunity after you get your shot
He said it’s common for these illnesses to spread at higher rates during the winter months.
”Wintertime is the worst time for any respiratory infection, especially viruses because they survive longer and people are more indoors and they’re more in close contact and in close quarters and that’s why they get spread more easily,” said Chaudry.
The Virginia Department of Health told 10 News that overall respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV, are moderate and trending down as of the week ending with Jan. 18.
In Southwest Virginia, there were:
- A little more than 180 emergency department visits for COVID-19
- More than 330 visits for the flu
- Almost 110 emergency department visits for RSV
Additionally, there has also been an uptick in cases of norovirus, which is sometimes referred to as the stomach bug.
“Norovirus causes gastrointestinal illnesses and it’s usually spread by contact coming in contact with people who are sick or their body secretions,” said Chaudry.
He advised if you get norovirus to stay home for about five to seven days or at least when you’re better within 24 hours.