APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Northeast Wisconsin medical professionals are seeing a rise in viruses, and not just in children. They say it’s important to take precautions as families prepare to gather for the holidays.
“The viruses are coming back,” said Dr. Mark Cockley, chief clinical officer for ThedaCare.
Cockley tells FOX 11 there is not just a rise in the respiratory virus RSV, but also influenza and COVID-19.
“We’re not doing as much masking, hand-washing, distancing so we’re seeing that spike and everything, so we’re going to have more COVID, more influenza, going to have more RSV.”
Children and the elderly aren’t the only ones affected by RSV. Each year Cockley points out 10,000 to 15,000 adults die of RSV, many with underlying conditions. And locally the rise in cases is being seen earlier this year.
“As the cases rise in the community, more of those people are going to get infected, and that results in office visits, hospitals visits, (emergency department) visits, as those people at risk get hospitalized.”
Symptoms of RSV are similar to the flu and COVID: runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever. A visit to the doctor can determine which virus or viruses you have to help with treatment, “but more importantly, to know what you have so you can isolate yourself from others to prevent the spread.”
“You can get it when people are infected or sneezing and you get those respiratory droplets in the air, RSV can also live on hard surfaces,” Dr. Abby Smolcich, a pediatrician with ThedaCare, said.
The best medical advice to prevent illness is familiar from the COVID-19 pandemic: Get a flu shot, wash your hands, wear masks and stay home and isolate if sick, even if it means missing a family gathering.
“Everyone likes to the see family, but if someone is sick — especially if you have people that have medical conditions in the family — it’s best to avoid those gatherings to prevent the spread throughout your family.”
Cockley says they do see some patients testing positive for multiple viruses. The good news is the hand washing, wearing a mask and keeping your distance work to prevent the spread for COVID, flu and RSV.
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