During the winter months, you may see more cases of respiratory illness including the flu or COVID-19.
This is often because people are indoors more allowing viruses to pass more easily, while the cold dry air may also weaken your resistance.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are updating a map estimating a list of growing and declining COVID-19 cases in states throughout the U.S. the most recent update from December 9th.
Indiana is seen as not changing, while the trend in Michigan is growing.
As of now, many local areas including St. Joseph and Elkhart county have not seen a spike in cases this winter. (WSBT Photo).
As of now, many local areas including St. Joseph and Elkhart county have not seen a spike in COVID-19 cases this winter.
Dr. Dan Nafziger is the Chief Medical Officer for Goshen Health and an infectious disease consultant.
I think it’s just worth remembering that even though influenza or COVID don’t seem to be maybe as threatening as they have in the past, that you can still get other people sick from these viruses, said Dr. Nafziger.
According to the CDC, Viruses like Covid are constantly changing leading to an emergence of new variants with different symptoms or ways of spreading.
“I don’t know that the average person has to get real upset or uptight about the fact that these viruses do change over time, but those changes do result in a somewhat increased risk of actually coming down with the virus or getting particularly sick with the virus, said Nafziger.”
The current dominant strain is known as the “Stratus” variant.
It can bring symptoms of congestion, cough, fever, or muscle aches, but sometimes symptoms may not show or they can be mistaken for allergies or a cold.
I think that some people with COVID are asymptomatic and can still spread it to their friends or family, but in general, we are looking for people that have symptoms that people might associate with either seasonal allergies or with a cold, or they can have more severe symptoms like shortness of breath and cough and really feel like something has hit them hard in the lungs, said Dr. Nafziger.
The recommendation from the CDC is to stay up to date and for those 6 months and older to get a vaccine.
