'Tis the Season for Illness - how to manage viruses

Have you felt like more people are getting sick lately – and that it’s happening earlier than in most winters?

If so, your instincts are spot on. Whether it’s Influenza (flu), COVID-19, or the result of any number of other viruses, the season for sickness is hitting us harder and sooner than it has in recent memory.

Consider this:

• As of October 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported flu was already taking its toll with at least 1.6 million cases, 13,000 hospitalizations and 730 deaths. All of these are high for that juncture in the flu season.
• Meanwhile, RSV, a respiratory virus that’s especially harmful for young children, elderly and immune-compromised individuals has infected many. There were more reported cases in each week of the fall than for any other week in the past two years.

As a result, just like at the peak of the pandemic, there’s renewed concern about the community’s well-being, as well as the potential for hospitals and clinics to become overwhelmed. And we’re just approaching winter.

However, we’re not powerless. We have some control over how vulnerable we are, so let’s educate ourselves about common viruses, how we can take steps to stay healthy and where to go for care.

Breakdown of Common Viruses

• Norovirus: This virus is to blame for the stomach flu, which is the result of sudden and severe inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines.
• RSV: Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a common virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but it can be serious for the groups I mentioned above.
• Influenza: This, of course, causes the flu. It’s especially contagious and infects the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs, causing mild to severe illness (and even death). It’s even more troublesome, though, because it can lead to bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
• Rhinovirus: When we think of the common cold, it’s usually due to this virus. People think of it as relatively harmless, but it has been known to trigger asthma attacks and has been linked to sinus/ear infections, bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
• Adenovirus: This virus is another relatively mild one that can bring on the common cold, although it can cause lead to acute bronchitis, pneumonia, pink eye and stomach flu symptoms.
• Parainfluenza: These viruses commonly cause respiratory infections in infants and young children. People usually recover on their own, but they can trigger things like croup (inflammation of the larynx/trachea in children that creates breathing issues) or pneumonia.
• Rotavirus: This virus is most common in infants and young children, creating issues like increased urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, crying with few or no tears and unusual sleepiness or fussiness.
• Coronavirus: We should all be familiar with COVID-19. Fortunately, the more recent variants have had milder symptoms. Unfortunately, they seem to be especially contagious.

How to Stay Healthy

So, that’s a lot of bad stuff flying around, and we may feel helpless. However, there are plenty of common-sense things we can do to give ourselves and our families the best chance at avoiding illness:

• Get a flu vaccine. I really do encourage this. Yes, the flu virus is constantly mutating, but the flu shot accounts for that and is updated each year. Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn’t give you the flu, and reduces the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths.
• Get the latest bivalent COVID-19 booster. While not as critical as it was during the height of the pandemic, we still recommend protecting yourself against COVID-19. More than ever, we know the shot is safe, and the most recent booster is proving to be especially effective against the Omicron variants.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (this is how germs are spread)
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick

Where to Go for Care

If you get sick, most people are fine managing symptoms from home. If you need to be seen, check with your primary care provider first. In addition, UnityPoint Health offers Express Care, two types of virtual care and, in severe cases, the emergency department.

If you have questions or need to be seen, don’t hesitate to contact UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine – Grundy Center at (319) 824-6945 or use the MyUnityPoint patient portal (if you have an established account). Learn more at unitypoint.org/grundycounty/primary-care.aspx