Winter Illnesses in Full Swing

By Nikki Walls, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Staying healthy in the New Year is typically part of most people’s resolutions but has been presenting a challenge for many who have already experienced the illness symptoms or know someone who has, as the winter “quad-demic” is in full swing which involves a quartet of infectious viruses.
The trio of viral illnesses which includes Influenza, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are commonly paired together, but to add to the viral syndromes circulating, norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness, have also been a concern.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza-like illnesses reported from outpatient facilities were “very high” for the state of Idaho. While cases of COVID and RSV are on the rise, the most prominent respiratory bug hitting the area is Influenza A.
How do we know what virus we have?
Fever, chills, headaches, body aches, fatigue are typical symptoms of most viral syndromes. Add coughing, sneezing, sore throat as symptoms to many of the respiratory viral syndromes. Norovirus differs some in that most of the presenting symptoms are stomach related- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain however these symptoms can also be present in the flu virus as well. Based on symptoms alone, it is not entirely possible to tell which viral syndrome you may have, but knowing that these viral illness are contagious to those around us.
How do we treat these illnesses?
For the most part, conservative management is the initial treatment of choice for most of these illnesses.
–Adequate rest and hydration
–Over-the-counter medications including cough and cold, fever-reducing and pain medications like Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil)
–allowing the virus to “run its course” and staying home until symptoms resolve to help prevent the spread of the illness to others
Symptoms should resolve spontaneously but if you are experiencing worsening symptoms including uncontrolled fevers, shortness of breath, difficulties breathing, unable to eat or tolerate anything by mouth or if you are too weak to walk or care for yourself- this is a good indicator that you should seek medical attention.
How can we prevent these illnesses?
Prevention is key!
–Keep immune system up
–Practice good hygiene
–Mask up, avoid crowds
–Vaccines (Influenza, COVID, RSV)
Hand-washing is especially important, especially with the norovirus. Hand sanitizer is typically not as effective for norovirus so washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. A lot of these viruses can live on surfaces so handwashing and not touching your face, mouth nose is important for prevention
If you have not gotten your flu vaccine it is not too late. Reach out to your healthcare provider to see which vaccines you are eligible for.