More people could suffer with the respiratory illnesses this winter than have in the past several years.
“This year is going to be very different,” said Mary Frances Barthel, MD, MHCM, FACP, SFHM, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Blessing Health. “The past two years we saw rising COVID cases during the winter months, with little flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Prior to that, we had flu during the winter months, with little RSV and no COVID. This year, we are seeing signs of a rise in all three conditions.”
RSV is a common cold like condition that can affect anyone of any age. In the very young RSV can cause serious complications.
“There is no vaccination against RSV. So we’re asking everyone who is eligible to get their flu shot and make sure they are up-to-date on COVID boosters,” Dr. Barthel continued.
Primary care providers and many area health departments offer flu vaccines. They are also available at the drive-through Blessing Express Clinic, 34th and Broadway, Quincy, as are COVID boosters, too.
Dr. Barthel says common sense precautions will help this winter also.
“Stay home if you are sick,” she said. “And keep your child home if they are sick. Have a back-up option for day care so they don’t have to go to a busy day care and possibly infect other children.”
Other common-sense measures to take this winter to reduce the risk of respiratory illness include good hand hygiene; proper respiratory etiquette, which includes coughing and sneezing into your elbow so your mouth is covered and hands remain clean; and social distancing when possible.
Dr. Barthel says Blessing Hospital staff has been holding drills and exercises to prepare for a possible influx of patients with respiratory illnesses.
For more information on the Blessing Express Clinic, visit blessinghealth.org/expressclinic.
For more information on RSV and other respiratory related illnesses, visit blessinghealth.org/RSV.