These states have lately the number of COVID, flu, and RSV cases

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Winter is the peak season for contagious illnesses across the board, but according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a trifecta of viruses is especially going around right now. Cases for COVID, the flu and RSV are all rising and are dangerously high in some states in particular. If you want to stay healthy, it’s important to know where cases of these viruses are spreading the most, why the number of infected people is so high right now and science-backed ways to protect yourself.

Related: Do You Have Coronavirus or the Flu? It’s not easy to tell, but here’s how doctors recommend finding out

CDC data shows the number of COVID, flu and RSV cases is nationwide. As of December 1, 2023, there has been a 200% increase in the number of people with influenza, a 51% increase. The number of people with COVID increases by 60% and RSV increases by 60%. Thirteen states, plus New York City, are seeing an increase. The list of states with the highest levels of respiratory illnesses is as follows:

Louisiana

South Carolina

New Mexico

Mississippi

Alabama

Georgia

North Carolina

Tennessee

New Jersey

Wyoming

Colorado

Nevada

California

“With the cold weather, we are spending more time indoors than before, which relates to increased rates of respiratory infections. The rate of vaccination tends to be lower in the midwest and south regions for all vaccines—particularly COVID,” says Dr. William A. Haseltine, PhD, the Chair and President of ACCESS Health International, a former Harvard Medical School professor, and expert on infectious diseases about why there is an increase in illnesses, particularly in these states.

Related: Here’s What You Can Expect COVID Symptoms to Look Like Day in And Why Days 5 to 10 Are the Most Important

A major reason why COVID, the flu and RSV are so high right now is because many people are not getting vaccinated for them—especially COVID. Remember in 2021 when millions were enthusiastically lining up for the COVID vaccine? Now, enthusiasm has waned. But Dr. Haseltine emphasizes that it’s still important to get vaccinated.“Receiving the COVID vaccine is still important as it can protect from serious disease. The most recent evidence suggests that the current vaccines will protect you for around six months but not much longer. Therefore, it is important to take the booster shots every season,” he explains. Dr. Haseltine adds that if the number of people getting the COVID vaccine remains low, then hospitalization rates will continue to rise, and we may see increased rates of long-term COVID.

Related: Do You Have the Flu? Here’s everything you want to know about coping with symptoms and treatment.

It’s also important to get a flu shot. Data collected from the CDC shows that getting a flu shot reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40% to 60%. You can get your flu and COVID vaccines at the same time or at other times. “There’s nothing to do with getting the flu shot. “”The flu shot and the COVID vaccine together. It’s similar to how it’s appropriate to receive the popular vaccines from the formative years at the same time,” says Dr. Haseltine.

As for the RSV vaccine, Dr. Haseltine says it’s for pregnant women and their babies. The CDC also recommends that adults 60 and older get the RSV vaccine.

In addition to getting vaccinated, Dr. Haseltine says there are other tactics for staying healthy — precautions you’ve probably heard about many times before. “The most productive tactics for staying healthy are pretty much the same as before: avoiding crowds. In particular, avoid crowded indoor spaces when you can, and if you can’t, wear a mask. Wear a mask if you will have to be in crowded areas, such as grocery shopping and on public transportation,” she says.

Even though the pandemic is over, that doesn’t mean COVID no longer exists. This is the case and the infection rate is currently at its highest due to the low number of people receiving the COVID booster. Vaccines are widely available and have been shown to reduce disease. Taking advantage of it will not only keep you healthy, but it will also help others stay healthy.

The doctors then set the record directly on the myths about the flu.

Dr. William A. Haseltine, PhD, President of ACCESS Health International, former Harvard Medical School Professor and Professor of Infectious Diseases

There is an urgent need to develop a policy for vaccination against influenza, COVID-19 and RSV and the use of authorized/approved curative products in the context of increasing respiratory disease activity in the 2023-2024 winter season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Respiratory virus activity levels. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The COVID-19 vaccination rate is “lower than we’d like to see,” the CDC says.

Evaluation of the decline in immunity induced by the SARS-COV-2 vaccine. JAMA.

Vaccine Effectiveness: How Do Flu Vaccines Work?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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