SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Respiratory illnesses are on the rise nationwide according to the CDC. That’s why Springfield doctors are encouraging people to do what they can to prevent the spread of disease.
COVID-19, the flu, and RSV are three common respiratory illnesses that are usually easy to fight off, but can be deadly under the right circumstance. It’s important to know what you’re dealing with.
Dr. Julio Nasim with Mercy says that all three can be prevented similarly.
“For symptom wise, there is no way that we can tell, hey, you have COVID, you have RSV, or you have the flu, because they can all present very similarly,” said Dr. Nasim.
Still, there are differences between the three.
Flu is commonly associated with body aches, fever, and fatigue. COVID can also cause fatigue, but typically also has shortness of breath and a sore throat. RSV is commonly associated with wheezing according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Many of these diseases you can fight off at home without medication, though Dr. Nasim says the second you’re concerned, you should reach out to your primary care provider.
“Whenever you are concerned, that’s the moment you need to talk to your doctor. Especially if you’re short of breath, if your loved one is confused, I’m not talking about where they put the keys. ‘Hey, honey, how you doing?’ ‘Who are you? What’s up?’, or they cannot tolerate fluids. Those are the big ones that we’re looking for because you can get dehydrated easily,” said Dr. Nasim.
While these diseases are on the rise nationwide, there are ways to prevent them. The best way to prevent the disease is by getting vaccines. There are vaccines for COVID, the flu, and, if you’re eligible, RSV, and it’s never too late to get them.
“It’s never too late to get vaccinated. We have cases pretty much every day, and it’s really important that we get like all the protection that we can, and vaccines are safe,” said Dr. Nasim.
Outside of vaccines, there are other ways to prevent the spread of disease as well.
“If you’re sick, stay at home, don’t go to work. Don’t go to school. Try to use your own restroom. Mask yourself. And depending on which disease you have, is how long many days you have to be out generally speaking, five days for most diseases,” said Dr. Nasim.
For more information on COVID, the flu, and RSV, you can visit the CDC’s website here.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com
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