xxxx Every year, respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cause illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths during the fall and winter virus season.
Many respiratory viruses share common symptoms, like coughing, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, fever, and chills. Other symptoms include fatigue (tiredness), decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and muscle or body aches. Sever infections can lead to serious lung infections, such as pneumonia.
What do I do if I have a respiratory virus?
- The CDC recommends you stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both your symptoms are getting better, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medications). After that time, you can resume normal activities, but should use added precautions (wearing a mask, staying away from those at severe risk for illness, etc.) for another 5 days.
How do I protect myself from a respiratory virus?
- The best way to prevent respiratory viruses are through vaccinations. Vaccinations are available for flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for select groups eligible for RSV vaccine). Find out more about immunizations for respiratory viruses at https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/immunizations.html or view the image below.
- Other prevention methods include washing your hands and staying home when you are sick.
Influenza (Flu) Surveillance Report
Nationally, influenza activity remains low. Influenza cases have been reported in Sedgwick County. The percentage of influenza-like illness (ILI) visits to selected outpatient clinics was at 1.89% (Sedgwick County).
Influenza (also known as “flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu. Vaccination helps prevent infection and can prevent serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccine.
*Data was retrieved from the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE). ESSENCE is a syndromic surveillance system for capturing and analyzing public health indicators in real-time. The Kansas Syndromic Surveillance Program (KSSP) monitors these data. KSSP is currently capturing ~98% of total ED visits in Kansas. Counts should be considered preliminary estimates due to variable data quality.
Notifiable Disease Investigations
