ST. PAUL, Minn. (GRAY) – The latest CDC data suggests a sweeping rise in respiratory illness across the US.
“We are seeing what we’ve seen in some of our previous seasons... where we’re seeing the peak of influenza, and RSV, and COVID,” said Dr. Summer Allen, a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic.
Nationwide, the trifecta of respiratory illnesses is causing a surge in hospitalizations, but while numbers are up in Minnesota, the state seems to be faring better than the rest of the country.
Still, hospitalizations for both COVID and influenza are up this week.
“We are seeing a peak similar to last year and this year, right now, [for] influenza. Where if we go back to the pandemic, which is so memorable for so many of us, right, COVID was our greatest concern,” said Allen.
All three illnesses have vaccinations available, but RSV is a bit more limited in scope.
“The RSV vaccination is targeting our highest risk populations, again, a little bit expanded from where it was before,” Allen explained. Right now, that mainly includes pregnant mothers and elderly Minnesotans.
While vaccines are a good way to boost public immunity, Allen says pandemic-era behaviors may also shine through when the numbers are up.
“I think what has developed in people is an ability to say, ‘Gosh, I’m not feeling well, I need to keep myself at home, or I need to consider masking myself,’” she said.
Even if one is healthy and up to date on immunizations, if something feels off it’s important to be cautious.
And regardless of health, it’s important to remember that a doctor’s visit can rule out major medical concerns.
“Trust your gut. What’s your baseline? If you are breathing faster than your baseline and there is persisting pain in your chest, fever lasting longer than a week, it may be worth getting seen,” said Allen.
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