MADISON, Wis. – Respiratory illness levels in Wisconsin are high and UW Health has seen a spike in influenza hospitalizations.
In early December, there were no hospitalizations at UW Health for influenza, but by the week of Jan. 19, there were 40 hospitalizations, the highest level of influenza-related hospitalizations there have been at UW Health in the last three years. Approximately 33% of patients tested for flu were positive last week, according to the most recent health system data.
While rates are high, hospitalizations at UW Health for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and COVID-19 are slightly declining and following a similar trend to last year.
These three viruses all cause influenza-like illness with symptoms that include fever, cough and fatigue.
High levels of respiratory illness in the community result in an expected rise in hospitalizations, according to Dr. Dan Shirley, medical director, infection prevention, UW Health.
UW Health has the capacity for this increase in hospitalizations, but it is important for the community to be aware of these trends, he said.
“We expect every winter to see an increase in respiratory virus cases,” said Shirley, who is also an associate professor of medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. “To reduce the spread as much as possible, we strongly urge people to stay home when they are sick, wash their hands, and consider wearing a mask in certain situations, including when they might have symptoms, might be in a big crowd or are at a higher risk of severe disease.”
It is also not too late to get vaccines for all three of these respiratory viruses. It takes a few weeks to build up immunity, but getting the vaccine now will still grant a person protection, as the respiratory virus levels are expected to remain high for several weeks, according to Shirley.
Testing is also important, especially for those who are immunosuppressed, older than 65 or very young, because they could be at risk for severe disease, he said.
“There are over-the-counter tests for COVID and flu, and other convenient testing options include going to a pharmacy, urgent care or your doctor’s office,” Shirley said. “Contact your doctor if you have severe symptoms or are sick and at risk of severe disease.”
Otherwise, most people can recover from these illnesses by staying home, resting and drinking plenty of fluids, he said.