Winter Respiratory Crisis: ‘Full Swing’ Surge, Masks Back On!

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Winter Respiratory Crisis: 'Full Swing' Surge, Masks Back On!
Winter Respiratory Crisis: 'Full Swing' Surge, Masks Back On!

United States: Owing to increased flu activity, especially with it getting colder recently; data obtained from the Chicago Department of Public Health reveal that respiratory illness incidences in the state have skyrocketed in the last month.

More about the news

Out of people tested in the city for flu-like symptoms, 18.3 percent were found positive for influenza, 14.1 percent with RSV or respiratory synchronization virus, and 4.9 percent for COVID-19 as per data collected on Friday.

The city health department spokesperson, Jacob Martin, added that “Flu and RSV are both significantly elevated in Chicago right now, and COVID levels are increasing as well,” and “Respiratory virus season is in full swing.”

Strict safety measures in place

Local hospitals have increased the use of masks during this period due to increased cases caused by the holiday sessions.

The University of Chicago Medicine announced on December 23 that all personnel would have to wear face masks in zones accessed by patients, based on the internal memo, blockclubchicago.org reported.

According to Michael Lin, an infectious disease physician and professor at Rush Medical Center, the “deep upslope” in cases is common for this time of year.

“Respiratory viruses tend to spike in the winter months, primarily when people are gathering indoors, spending more time together, and possibly spreading viruses,” Lin added.

Furthermore, vaccines to protect people through the winter season are administered during the fall. However, it is still possible to take a flu shot or an updated COVID-19 booster if one hasn’t yet, added Lin.

CDC recommends RSV vaccines for all adults 75 and over, as well as those between the ages of 60 and 74 with a cardiac or pulmonary disorder.

There is a maternal vaccine if the child is an infant, or an RSV antibody can be administered to the infant after birth.

What more do experts suggest?

According to Lin, “Going to events a little bit ill can cause a lot of spread,” and “If your child is sick, keep them away from other children. Do what’s practical.”

Lin says people with other health conditions that might exacerbate respiratory diseases should wear masks in crowded places.

However, Lin also mentioned that for others, masking is “really a personal preference after that,” blockclubchicago.org reported.

Lin said that at-home testing kits for respiratory illnesses are gradually becoming more prevalent.

Although it’s not as prevalent as the flu and RSV currently, there is no way of knowing when that will peak too, Lin added.

As Lin said, “It’s becoming one of the common respiratory viruses, but it hasn’t settled into a pattern seasonally yet. It’s harder to predict when it’s going to strike,” and “It’s not behaving yet like a classic respiratory virus.”

There is still a lot that is not known about how COVID-19 would impact the body after some time, Lin admitted. Lin added that peak season for respiratory illnesses begins to decline towards the later part of April or early part of May.

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