Welcome to sick season.

According to the CDC, New York City — along with New Jersey and at least 16 other states — is now experiencing “high” to “very high” levels of respiratory-illness activity as measured by the number of weekly visits to health-care providers and emergency rooms by people having symptoms of fever, cough, and sore throat.

The culprits are the usual suspects: this year’s strains of influenza, COVID, and RSV. And though flulike-illness levels have been above baseline nationally for several consecutive weeks, the CDC warns that we still haven’t hit the peak.

As always, seniors remain the most at-risk demographic for severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses, which is why the low vaccination rates for that group remain troubling.

Beyond vaccination, for everyone, the best way to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV is regular handwashing; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and staying home if you get sick. High-filtration face masks still work great, too, and not just for avoiding COVID.

  • Flying Squid
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    981 year ago

    Boy am I glad I’m having surgery on Thursday.

    In a hospital.

    Full of people with these highly contagious respiratory illnesses.

    Oh well, at least I’m vaccinated.

    • @Maggoty
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      121 year ago

      Good luck. I went to one for an hour appointment and got COVID. Also vaccinated. The strain out there right now just does not care.

      • Mike
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        91 year ago

        The strain out there right now just does not care.

        For real. Caught covid for the first time just before Thanksgiving. Got the newest booster back in October. New strain be like a honey badger.

    • @Poem_for_your_sprog
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      111 year ago

      Why aren’t things separated into something like surgical/lab test centers and illness centers.

      Why must I sit next to someone with COVID just to get my 3rd colonoscopy of the week?

      • Flying Squid
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        61 year ago

        The hospital here does have a separate surgery center, but it is only for simple procedures. Apparently mine requires more than what the surgery center can do, so I have to be in the main hospital.

        • Drusas
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          71 year ago

          It’s insane to me that hospitals and doctors’ officers don’t require masking of all parties while indoors. They spread disease almost as much as children do (not really, but they tend to spread worse diseases than children do), and they get lots of immunocompromised people in there.

    • SeaJ
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      51 year ago

      Wear an N95 mask. You should be making up in hospitals and clinics anyway.

    • @[email protected]
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      41 year ago

      It’s so funny. I don’t know you, and yet I have this bague picture of your life from reading your comments here and there.

      I hope this surgery is going to solve what’s been going on! Feel better! Don’t stress 😊

      • Flying Squid
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        51 year ago

        I’m hopeful too, thanks. I am trying not to stress, but any surgery is risky, so I’m a little bit on edge, but I’ve been sick for months, so this is my last hope before the Mayo clinic.

        • @[email protected]
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          51 year ago

          Well I’m rooting for you! You’ll be ok. And of course you already know this, but try to focus on the moment now instead of the possibility of unhappiness and pain in the future. Worrying doesn’t help anything. And for all you know your life will be greatly improved!