GREENSBORO, N.C. — Getting sick might have you home for the holidays.
Across the state, the number of tests coming back positive for respiratory illnesses has increased in the last few weeks, especially for the flu.
Novant Health Infectious Disease Specialist Becky DeCamillis said we are seeing this here in the Triad.
"COVID cases are ticking up a bit, but flu cases are really on the rise," DeCamilis said. "We've seen a dramatic increase over the past few weeks. RSV cases are still high but they seem to be leveling off a little bit both in North Carolina and nationally."
Of the people fighting the flu in North Carolina, 14 deaths were reported in the state, 10 of which were in people older than 65.
Dr. Michael Fitch is a professor and an emergency medicine physician at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
Fitch said winter is when those numbers typically pick up.
"The thing to remember is that, even though we talk a lot about RSV and Influenza and Covid, there are many other respiratory viruses that we see this time of year," Fitch said. "Some people categorize it and say there may be over 200 different types of viruses that circulate during this time of year. From the many different types of viruses that cause the common cold to viruses that cause bronchitis, so we're seeing a wide variety of all of those."
If you feel run down, both Novant and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist suggest the following:
- Stay home
- Drink extra fluids
- Get plenty of rest
- Cancel the holiday trips to avoid getting others sick, if you have to.
If it's not going away, set up an appointment with a primary care doctor, go to urgent care, or use telemedicine.
If the symptoms are serious like shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, then go to the emergency room.
Also, it's never too late to get a vaccine for RSV, COVID-19 and the flu.
"We get these illnesses from other people who are sick, so the number one thing that you can do to protect others and protect the community is if you're sick, you should stay home," Fitch continued.
Dr. Fitch said while having tea, chicken noodle soup, and bundling up in a bunch of blankets might make you feel better, there is no proof it will improve your immune system, but if it makes you feel just a little bit happier, have at it.