Respiratory illnesses are rampant in Utah with hospitals filling up. The Uintah Basin has been hit too. TriCounty Health Department reports that respiratory hospitalizations in the Uintah Basin this season have been 26% RSV, 55% COVID, and 19% Flu. Each of these can be serious, especially for those who have diabetes or asthma, among other health conditions. The best way to prevent the spread of respiratory illness is by washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into a tissue, and frequently cleaning high touch surfaces. RSV rates have gone up locally among infants and young children. Those at greatest risk for severe RSV illness are premature infants, any infant 6 months and younger, and children with weakened immune systems. Early symptoms of RSV include runny nose, decrease in appetite, and cough, which may progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing. Contact your health care professional if you have concerns about your child’s symptoms.
