If you have been feeling sick, you are not alone. Health officials said respiratory illnesses are on the rise across Vermont. “I think we have a cold that’s come in, and the flu is definitely still here right now. It’s just kind of one of those perfect storm months where a lot of things are coming together all at once,” said Ryan Quinn, the pharmacist manager at Lakeside Pharmacy. Health officials said much of this is flu-like illness. That includes fever, cough, and sore throat, although other viruses can cause similar symptoms. “Influenza is a seasonal virus. It rises when we see colder weather, when we see people who are interacting more closely together indoors, we don’t have as good airflow inside,” said Dr. Emily Mosites, the state epidemiologist for the Vermont Department of Health. The state tracks trends including doctor visits, school illness, and wastewater testing to understand how widespread the virus is. And for many, that can turn into missed work and school, as well as sick households.”My roommate was sick two weeks ago, and then I did everything I could to avoid it, but unfortunately it hit me. And it also is probably going to hit my other roommate,” said Kathryn Ksiazek, a Burlington resident. Others are seeing it in their family members. “I spend a bunch of time hanging out with my grandchildren, who are cute little disease vectors. My older grandkid was sick at the beginning of the week, and now my younger kid has got the bug now,” said Steve Gaarder, a Burlington resident. Quinn said the store has been busier recently. “We’ve been going through a lot of cough suppressants, a lot of decongestants, a lot of masks, as people are trying to just help to stop the spread,” Quinn said. The Vermont Department of Health said there is still time to protect yourself and others.”The best ways to avoid getting sick with influenza are to get vaccinated. It’s not too late,” Mosites said. “This year we saw 34% of Vermonters who have gotten their flu vaccine so far, which is slightly down compared to our last three-year average, which was 38%.” Washing your hands, staying home when you’re sick, and masking around others are always recommended to help limit the spread.
If you have been feeling sick, you are not alone. Health officials said respiratory illnesses are on the rise across Vermont.
“I think we have a cold that’s come in, and the flu is definitely still here right now. It’s just kind of one of those perfect storm months where a lot of things are coming together all at once,” said Ryan Quinn, the pharmacist manager at Lakeside Pharmacy.
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Health officials said much of this is flu-like illness. That includes fever, cough, and sore throat, although other viruses can cause similar symptoms.
“Influenza is a seasonal virus. It rises when we see colder weather, when we see people who are interacting more closely together indoors, we don’t have as good airflow inside,” said Dr. Emily Mosites, the state epidemiologist for the Vermont Department of Health.
The state tracks trends including doctor visits, school illness, and wastewater testing to understand how widespread the virus is.
And for many, that can turn into missed work and school, as well as sick households.
“My roommate was sick two weeks ago, and then I did everything I could to avoid it, but unfortunately it hit me. And it also is probably going to hit my other roommate,” said Kathryn Ksiazek, a Burlington resident.
Others are seeing it in their family members.
“I spend a bunch of time hanging out with my grandchildren, who are cute little disease vectors. My older grandkid was sick at the beginning of the week, and now my younger kid has got the bug now,” said Steve Gaarder, a Burlington resident.
Quinn said the store has been busier recently.
“We’ve been going through a lot of cough suppressants, a lot of decongestants, a lot of masks, as people are trying to just help to stop the spread,” Quinn said.
The Vermont Department of Health said there is still time to protect yourself and others.
“The best ways to avoid getting sick with influenza are to get vaccinated. It’s not too late,” Mosites said. “This year we saw 34% of Vermonters who have gotten their flu vaccine so far, which is slightly down compared to our last three-year average, which was 38%.”
Washing your hands, staying home when you’re sick, and masking around others are always recommended to help limit the spread.
