High levels of respiratory illness circulating here

    High levels of respiratory illness are circulating in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department which includes Chase County, according to a SWNPHD health official.
    The illnesses seen include colds, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and COVID-19.
    These can all have similar symptoms so it can be very challenging to know what adults and children may be suffering from, said Melissa Propp RN, Clinic Manager at SWNPHD
    “For those at risk of getting very sick, it’s important to get tested so the right treatment can be prescribed,” she said.
    Across Nebraska, the rising cases are similar, especially influenza, Propp said.
    According to a report in Nebraska News Connection, the state is one of a dozen experiencing “very high” levels of influenza, and the highest percentage of cases has been in children and young adults.
    As with any illness, Propp said seeking immediate medical attention is vital if you or someone else is having trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure that is not going away, confusion, trouble waking up or staying awake, bluish lips or face or an uncontrolled fever after taking fever reducing medication.
     “We want to remind everyone to stay home when you are sick with a fever,” said Propp.         “This may mean having to miss the annual family or work gathering, but the people you could have made sick will be happy you chose not to share your germs,” she said.
    Propp listed the various symptoms of illnesses being seen in southwest Nebraska.

    COLDS: Mild illness with symptoms usually starting 1 to 3 days after exposure. Symptoms include cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, watery eyes and sneezing. Colds may last up to 10 days. Adults can usually expect 2-3 colds per season while younger children may have more. There is no vaccine or treatment that can combat a cold.
    INFLUENZA: Mild to severe illness with symptoms usually starting 2 to 4 days after exposure. Symptoms come on suddenly and include fever (not everyone will experience a fever), chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and fatigue. Some people have vomiting; this is more common in children. Symptoms can last 5 to 7 days with a shorter time for people who received a flu shot.  Influenza is treatable with antiviral medication if identified within 48 hours after symptoms start. Flu shots are available every year and help decrease the severity of symptoms, as well as how long it lasts.
     RSV: Mild to severe illness with symptoms usually starting 5 days after exposure. Symptoms of RSV in children are fever, runny nose, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing and wheezing. Symptoms in adults are low grade fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing and headache. Symptoms may last 2-8 days. Severe illness is more common in young children; however, a high number of adults are also experiencing severe RSV illness  this year. Those most at risk include those over 65 years of age, people with heart or lung disease and adults with weakened immune systems. There is no vaccine or treatment for RSV.
     COVID-19: Mild to severe illness with symptoms usually starting 2 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine helps decrease the severity of the symptoms as well as how long symptoms will last. If you get COVID-19 and are at risk of getting very sick, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of hospitalization and death.