Spring is almost here. Are respiratory illnesses still prevalent at Backus Hospital?

Though spring is right around the corner, respiratory illnesses are still prevalent at Backus Hospital in Norwich.

The Mayo Clinic states that influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 are all part of the seasonal respiratory illness lineup. These viruses circulate more heavily in the community during the fall and winter season per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kyle McClaine, chief of emergency services and EMS medical director at Backus Hospital, said that respiratory illnesses have been as expected this winter.

“RSV spiked first in October through January,” McClaine said. “COVID picked up in November, peaked at Christmas time and has dropped off since but is still present. Flu A is very prevalent now. It started in November, first peaked around the holidays, dropped off in mid-January but is peaking even higher now.”

McClaine added that at Backus, RSV was most prevalent in November, COVID-19 in December, while the flu is most prevalent now. There were many cases of all three illnesses in late December.

“Respiratory illnesses decrease when people are not in dense indoor crowds," McClaine said. "They decrease after the holidays and breaks when people congregate.”

COVID rates and vaccination rates in the area

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that New London's rate of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 was 1.9 for the week ending March 2. Any rate below 10 is considered low.

95 percent of the total population in Connecticut, or 3,670,090 people, had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of May 10, 2023. This makes Connecticut one of the most vaccinated states in the country.

When does flu season wind down at Backus?

McClaine said that flu season usually winds down in the spring, although it can vary from year to year. May is a common month for flu season to wind down at the hospital.

When do spring allergies start?

McClaine said allergies happen throughout the year for many patients, but the spring season happens as trees and other plants start to pollinate with the warmer weather. These allergies can exacerbate asthma and COPD.

McClaine said there is no consensus regarding whether or not people with allergies are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses.

“There is mixed literature on this topic, with some saying that the immune system is activated with allergies and may help resist infections, and others suggesting the opposite,” he said.

Tips to prevent against respiratory illnesses

Wash your hands frequently. Wear a mask if you are sick or around someone else who is. Stay home if you have a respiratory infection until you are fever free for at least 24 hours and have improved symptoms.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Respiratory illnesses still prevalent at Backus Hospital in Norwich