MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Hospitalizations related to influenza and the coronavirus are on the rise, but cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are beginning to fall. On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Monongalia County Health Officer Dr. Lee Smith said he fears increasing flu and coronavirus cases will fill any void and continue pushing health care workers for the next few weeks.
“That’s a little bit of good news, but that’s up against the backdrop that influenza cases continue to increase and we won’t see the peak until late January,” Dr. Smith said.
Hand washing, common sense, and pandemic guidelines are the best lines of defense, but getting vaccinated is recommended as a preventative measure.
“If you have symptoms, practice social distancing; you can use a mask if you’re out in public or near people,” Dr. Smith said. “Suspend your in-person work or school if you’re having symptoms.”
As for the reason for the increase in numbers, Dr. Smith said two years of limited social engagement have reduced the level of immune response for many. The lack of immunity in the population has presented an unprecedented opportunity for the triple threat of viruses.
“That has left the human population without any baseline immunity, so it’s a very fertile ground for influenza, RSV, and other respiratory viruses to get a foothold this year,” Dr. Smith said.
Primary care providers, medical clinics, or tele-health options are the best ways for people to diagnose the illness they have and get the proper treatment. Early confirmation of the type of illness will identify the most effective prescription for a speedy recovery. According to Dr. Smith, using all the options available will help health care workers better manage the flow of patients.
“We don’t like to see hospitals with multi-hour waits to be seen,” Dr. Smith said. “It has a significant negative impact on people who have other issues such as trauma, heart disease, or stroke.”
Nationwide, the CDC said from October 20, 2022, through December 17, 2022, there were up to 37 million cases of the flu diagnosed, which resulted in nearly 400,000 hospitalizations.
The primary flu strain in West Virginia is Influenza A H1N1.
“We want people to not lose their will and continue to keep up the good fight because we need a community to help fight this fight,” Dr. Smith said.