Navigating the maze of viral illnesses this fall
As we enter the fall season, it’s essential to stay informed about the viral illnesses that can affect our community. In Delaware, the changing weather, increased indoor gatherings and a new school year can contribute to the spread of infectious illnesses including influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.
If the end of summer gives us insight into how this fall and winter will be, our community members will need to be vigilant about protecting themselves from these viral illnesses. Atracare’s urgent care facilities in Lewes and Ocean View saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases before we even entered fall. The rise of COVID-19 will certainly confound the emergence of flu and RSV for the medical community, as many of the signs and symptoms overlap, making it difficult to identify the cause without diagnostic testing.
Certain patient populations will need to take more care to protect themselves. People who have chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, the elderly and/or immunosuppressed, diabetics, pregnant women and young infants are especially vulnerable to getting sicker when infected with COVID, flu or RSV. If you fit one of these criteria, prevention is paramount to keeping you and your loved ones healthy.
Prevention can include adequate hand washing, not touching your nose or mouth with unwashed hands, wearing masks indoors when around other people, eating healthy and exercising to boost your immune system, and cleaning highly trafficked surfaces. And prevention also means getting yourself vaccinated.
Vaccination is the single best way to help prevent flu spreading in your community. Per the Centers for Disease Control, the annual flu vaccine helps protect people from severe illness, as well as preventing virus spread and hospitalization. A 2022 study showed flu vaccines reduced children’s risk of severe, life-threatening flu by 75%. This is especially important for those with chronic medical conditions such as COPD, diabetes and heart disease, as flu can worsen these medical problems.
This season, a new tool has been added to medical providers’ toolkits to help prevent RSV: Abrysvo by Pfizer. Abrysvo is a vaccine for RSV, and is available to those 60 years of age and older, and women who are 32-36 weeks pregnant. This new RSV vaccine will help prevent lower respiratory tract diseases like pneumonia, and will also help newborns fight RSV better.
Treating viral illnesses combines symptomatic treatment and supportive care, which includes but is not limited to increased fluid intake, over-the-counter medications to control fever and discomfort, and rest; however, antiviral treatment may be appropriate for those diagnosed with COVID-19 or flu if they are within a high-risk group and meet the treatment criteria.
At Atracare, our priority is to keep our community healthy and informed. We offer in-house testing for influenza A and B as well as COVID-19 and RSV. By taking proactive measures such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and understanding the risks associated with viral illnesses like COVID-19, flu and RSV, we can work together to minimize the spread of these infections and protect those most vulnerable in Delaware. Staying informed and following public health recommendations is crucial for a safe fall season.
Atracare has walk-in clinics open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily in both Ocean View and Lewes. Known for its quick and easy access, Atracare uses texting services to register patients. Simply text 302-754-5697 for the Ocean View clinic or 302-517-1385 for Lewes.
To book an appointment via the website, go to atracare.com.
