If you’re sick, go home.
That’s the big message of the state’s announcement Friday that Delaware may face a “triple outbreak” of 3 severe respiratory viruses: COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.
All 3 place patients of all ages in hospitals, which were already overburdened by inflamed patients and those who desire medical care for other reasons.
“Our main message is to go home if you’re sick,” said Dr. Rick Hong, acting director of the Division of Public Health. “Fortunately, there is a vaccine for flu and COVID-19 . . . Unfortunately, no vaccine is available for RSV and the existing accumulation in Delaware and country cases underscores the need to thoroughly monitor prevention measures for those seasonal viruses. “
For the week of October 16 through February 22, 2022, there were 44 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza, up from 19 last week. This brings the overall state for the season that began Oct. 2 to 69.
There are many more cases of flu there. Many other people with the flu never go to the doctor. Many of those who do are not checked by the state laboratory. Their doctors or clinics check them in the office. So, there are thousands of instances in circulation, even if the official number is small.
For the same week, there were cases of RSV, for a total of 250 for the season.
The flu and COVID-19 have many symptoms, in addition to fever or fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, fatigue (fatigue), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches or pains, and headache.
Other symptoms and symptoms of COVID-19 that differ from the flu come with a substitution or loss of taste or odor.
Some recent reports have indicated that many other people report that a sore throat is the first sign of more serious mutations in Omicron. It’s also a non-unusual first sign of the flu.
The state recommends that those who are not physically fit call their own physical care provider to see if they want to get tested for COVID-19 or visit them.
Those who check themselves at home when they have health problems deserve to get checked back in two days if their check is negative, or ask their doctor if they want a flu control.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that begins with mild cold-like symptoms, adding fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, sneezing and, in infants, irritability and poor nutrition.
It may progress to more severe symptoms, such as short or short breathing or wheezing. Infants and toddlers with worsening cases may make grunting noises when breathing, the chest collapses when breathing, and the skin turns purple or blue due to lack of oxygen.
Although other people of any age can develop RSV, it is more common in children younger than 2 years and can be serious, especially in infants and older adults.
Most people within a week or two, however, some children want to be hospitalized.
The state recommends:
Public Health said many emergency departments are already experiencing long wait times. Here’s his suggestion on when to go to the emergency room, when not to, and when to call 911.
When to go to an emergency room:
When NOT to go to an emergency department:
For more information on RSV, influenza, and COVID-19, publichealthalerts. delaware. gov.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington-based freelancer with 40 years of experience, plus 15 years at the News Journal in Delaware.
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