Respiratory illnesses are on the rise in Massachusetts this winter

according to recent reports respiratory illnesses are on the rise in Massachusetts this winter 22 news reporter Kaye Thomas is live in studio after speaking with local hospitals about the current situation and ways to avoid a hospital visit Kaye Nick andc local hospitals are seeing the numbers of respiratory illnesses caused by infections like covid-19 influenza and RSV go up according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health the state is experiencing significant levels of seasonal flu and RSV activity at this time over 11,700 emergency room visits in the state were attributed to respiratory illnesses the week of December 29th and January 4th kly Dickinson Hospital in Northampton is one Hospital seeing an increase in cases now that the holidays are over people are coming with a lot of respiratory symptoms which is cough sneezing congestion fevers Bay State Medical Center in Springfield also feeling the impact amount of patients that are going to the emergency room to be seen for Respiratory illnesses has decreased as Mish this week compared to the past couple of weeks uh but we're still at a much higher rate than we were perhaps at the beginning of December B State seen more people coming in with cases of covid-19 and influenza this past week while respiratory viruses are increasing there are ways to minimize your risk Health experts suggest frequent handwashing wear a mask disinfect surfaces and staying home when sick those most at risk are those with weakened immune systems you can also prevent severe illness hospitalization and respiratory complications with with vaccines people this season have not really been keen on getting the covid and influenza vaccines so it's important that even now you get the vaccines because we still have a few months of restory season remaining RSV vaccines are recommended for adults and infants and influenza and covid-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone over 6 months old if you have signs or symptoms of respitory illness experts say you should get tested to help protect those around you working for you kayy Thomas 22 News go