Health care
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Austin health official shares tips for combating seasonal illnesses
Lab-reported cases of COVID-19 in Travis County in 2023 *
The details
Diving in deeper
What's next
All three viral illnesses can be mitigated with vaccinations, Walkes said. In addition to vaccinations, per the CDC, other basic preventive measures include hand-washing, wearing a mask to reduce the amount of germs breathed in, improving air quality through air filters and keeping a distance from those who are sick.
Walkes said the COVID-19 variant circulating the state is of XBB lineage, one of the newer reported strains. Laboratory-reported cases of COVID-19 are down significantly in Austin since 2022, according to data from the Austin Public Health COVID-19 dashboard. In 2022, there were nearly 150,000 lab cases reported. So far, there are just over 21,000 reported this year. Results from these tests do not include at-home tests, however, meaning numbers could be higher. Health care providers will begin collecting flu data at the beginning of October for the 2023-24 flu season, Walkes said. APH will post its first flu report—which collects data weekly through the end of flu season in May— at the end of October. Testing is required to know if an illness is COVID-19 or the flu, as many symptoms are shared, according to the CDC.
RSV can be severe for infants and older adults and require hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control, so vaccines and other preventive measures are recommended. Symptoms typically include: • Fever • Decrease in appetite • Coughing, sneezing or wheezing • A runny nose For infants up to 1 year old, breathing difficul- ties, irritability and decreased activity may be the only signs, according to the CDC. RSV can result in a lower respiratory tract diseases such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. By the time children reach the age of 2, almost all will have had an RSV infection at some point, accord- ing to the CDC. APH officials said local RSV case data is not available as it is not a reportable condition.
21,076 cases
33 median age diagnosed
As flu season begins, the number of local cases for seasonal illnesses confirmed by laboratory testing remains stable, said Dr. Desmar Walkes, medical director and health authority for Austin- Travis County. Seasonal illnesses include COVID-19; the flu; and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Walkes encourages residents to be prepared and know the signs of seasonal sicknesses. “These diseases can cause severe illness. The risk is higher in the very young and very old, especially those who are living with a chronic health condition or those that are immunocompromised,” Walkes said. Given how similar symptoms are between the illnesses, it can be tricky to know which one someone has, Walkes said.
Signs of seasonal illnesses to watch out for can include:
71 deaths
71 median age of fatalities
2022-23 flu season data *
Fatigue
Upper respiratory congestion
12 adult flu-associated deaths
“Each of these respiratory viruses can be treated, but it is important to know what is making you sick.” DR. DESMAR WALKES, MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY
Cough
Muscle pain or aches
14 flu cases across county schools
3,000 positive flu tests during week of Oct. 31, 2022, the peak of the season
Loss of taste or smell
Fever or chills
*DATA AS OF SEPT. 25, 2023. THE 2022-23 FLU SEASON ENDED IN SEPTEMBER.
SOURCE: AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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