Respiratory illnesses such as the flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are on the rise in several states across the US. According to the CDC, emergency department visits from patients suffering from these illnesses are now “very high” nationwide.
The top 10 states with the most ER visits for respiratory illnesses are Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Pediatric hospitals have been busy since November with RSV, but “influenza has now joined the party,” said Dr. Jason Newland.
Symptoms of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 can be similar, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, and tiredness. Healthcare professionals may use diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis. Unique symptoms include wheezing in RSV cases and extremely high fevers in flu cases.
To protect yourself, the CDC recommends getting an annual flu vaccination, washing your hands frequently, cleaning surfaces, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. The CDC is also monitoring norovirus outbreaks and bird flu cases.
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Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/5074669-map-emergency-room-visits-for-respiratory-illnesses-are-soaring-in-these-states