Winter is the worst time when it comes to respiratory illnesses, like COVID, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pertussis (whooping cough), and the common cold, which are currently circulating in the Glenwood Springs community.
Garfield County Public Health has advice on the subject, as many of these illnesses have similar symptoms.
“Most upper respiratory infections can be treated at home with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications. However, it’s important to seek medical care if an adult or child has a high fever, trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, wheezing, severe coughing, vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration, or symptoms not improving after five days,” said Carrie Godes, public health specialist for Garfield County Public Health.
Because the flu and COVID are caused by viruses, they may be able to be treated with antiviral medications, which work best if they’re started shortly after becoming sick.
“Pertussis is caused by a bacteria and should be treated with an antibiotic. Antibiotics will not work against colds, the flu, or COVID, because they’re viruses,” Godes said.
Right now, Garfield County is going through a pertussis outbreak with cases spreading through community transmission, which means that individuals did not have known contact with one another. The good news is that pertussis can be prevented via vaccine.
“Pertussis is especially dangerous for infants under a year, those with high-risk conditions, lung conditions, those not up to date on the pertussis DTaP/Tdap vaccine or those who are pregnant,” Godes said.
Testing can determine if an illness is pertussis, flu, COVID or RSV and there are also vaccines to help prevent or reduce the severity of these illnesses. GCPH provided details on vaccines:
- The RSV vaccine is recommended for those 60 years and older and certain pregnant women. An RSV preventative antibody may be recommended for infants and some young children.
- The flu vaccine is recommended annually for everyone over six months of age.
- The COVID vaccine is considered current if it was received after mid-September 2023 with the most recent vaccine (recommendations are varied based on age).
- The pertussis vaccine is given at various times throughout life. Make sure to stay up to date on DTaP/Tdap vaccines.
To keep the risk of transmission of these illnesses low, stay at home when sick, test, wear a mask, practice physical distancing and sanitize high-contact surfaces.
To find out more about vaccines and immunizations, head to Garfield County Public Health’s website at www.garfield-county.com/public-health/immunization-program/.
