Respiratory illnesses on the rise
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-It is the season for respiratory illnesses.
They are on the rise in more than 30 states, including California, where doctors are concerned the worst is yet to come.
"I am sure you all have noticed that there is a lot of viral illness going around in the community right now, The new COVID variant RSV and influenza are particularly rampant, " said Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics CEO Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian.
He said there happen to be vaccines for all three available at pharmacies, doctor's offices and Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.
"The good news is we have vaccines for all three to prevent you from becoming ill in the first place. if you test early and find out you have COVID there is actually treatment that your doctor could prescribe to significantly expedite your recovery."
Patients can be tested in their clinics.
"The best thing to do is prevention and you can do that with washing your hands regularly and masking up in gatherings with N95 and KN95 masks that way not only go you protect yourselves form acquiring viruses but also from transmitting them to your family and loves ones.
He is aware that some people don't like masks.
"I know sometimes these measures can be a nuisance but the alternative is becoming sick and having to deal with the risks and the discomfort,"
Drugs stores appear busier than usual as people stop by for prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
RSV symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, headache, and tiredness.
Allyson Holman said she is feeling some of those.
"Definitely, sinus, an upper respiratory infection,"said Holman,"Lots of people I know have it, we work around kids, so lots of kids are coughing, we are coughing not good overall."
Zully Flores said she was sick over the holidays and felt fortunate her kids didn't get what she had.
Elizabeth Barnes credits hand-washing and her lifestyle with staying well.
Hospitalizations are also on the rise.
Another simple way to prevent the spread of all three respiratory illnesses is to stay home when feeling ill.
