SPOKANE, Wash. — As respiratory illnesses like RSV, COVID-19, the flu and whooping cough become more prevalent, health experts are stressing the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date.
“I think it’s there’s kind of a tendency for people to say, Well, tomorrow, I’ll feel better the next, you know, I’ll feel better in a couple days. But again, sometimes things can go sideways pretty quickly,” said Kari Lidbeck, an Immunization Community Network Specialist at the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD).
In the last few weeks we have seen an up-tick in whooping cough cases. As of October 5, Spokane reported 69 cases, the Idaho Panhandle had 245 cases as of October 16, and Whitman county reported 28 cases on October 17.
Although flu cases remain low, those are expected to rise in the coming weeks.
“The flu can be very dangerous, especially for kids under the age of six months old, and for adults over the age of 65 interesting,” said Dr. Sarah d’Hulst, a pediatrician at MultiCare.
Lidbeck, advises, “Get vaccinated ahead of the game, as it usually takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to effectively trigger your immune response.”
With many respiratory illnesses sharing overlapping symptoms, it can be challenging to identify which illness one might have until tested. For more information on symptoms from each of the viruses, click here.
“Testing usually is fairly simple, and it’s just better to know for sure what you’re dealing with, and maybe to be on top of it, to be, you know, prescribed something that could help you to prevent it from becoming something more serious,” said Lidbeck.
Dr. d’Hulst emphasizes the urgency of taking action when symptoms arise. “If you start feeling sick, especially with a fever, the first priority is to protect your family,” she notes.
Dr. d’Hulst encourages individuals to frequently wash their hands, use at-home COVID tests if they feel unwell and to contact their clinics for guidance on the best next steps.
MultiCare is hosting flu shot clinic on November 2 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. You can call 509-342-3150 to schedule your child’s flu shot.
Staying proactive can significantly help manage health risks during this peak season.
Go here to find a pharmacy near you to get a flu vaccine.
Go here to order 4 free At-Home COVID-19 tests.
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