Experts warn of impending cases of COVID, RSV and the flu

 

It's officially flu season, but that's not the only respiratory illness that experts are worried about as it gets closer to winter.

ABC News reports that cases of the flu, COVID-19 and RSV are set to impact Americans nationwide.

Cases of RSV in particular have seen a recent surge in case numbers throughout southern states with the believe that a push to the North isn't far behind. 

The age groups most susceptible to RSV are those 65 and older, the immunocompromised and infants.

In May of 2023, the Food & Drug Administration approved a new RSV shot, but the shot is currently in limited supply do to an overstretch on demand. On top of that, the CDC released a health advisory in October detailing new qualifications that need to be met on a case-by-case basis before the shot is given out. 

When it comes to the flu, the Indiana Department of Health's "Influenza Dashboard" reports that Indiana has seen a steady climb in the number of flu cases state-wide over the past 12 weeks. 

That same resource also states that the first influenza-related death of the season was reported on Nov. 3rd. 

Some basic ways of preventing the spread of these three viruses is by using the three C's: cover, which means covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough; clean, which includes washing hands thoroughly with soap and water; and contain, meaning if you're sick, stay home from work or school.