Respiratory diseases such as RSV and COVID-19 seem to be on the rise throughout Southern Middle Tennessee according to reports from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s respiratory illness data channel routinely updates with statistics for respiratory illness and the level of activity and emergency department data from Maury County hospitals show that RSV and influenza rates are climbing with moderate rates of COVID-19.

A Chief Medical Officer over at Maury Regional Health said they have treated a high number of patients for all three viruses over the past few days and they anticipate they will continue to see high rates of respiratory illness especially since the holidays are the perfect environment for spreading viruses.

The cold weather tends to cause people to isolate themselves, usually with family, and this is even more so during holiday gatherings and get-togethers. This is when respiratory illnesses spread the most as they are transmitted through droplets fired off from coughs and sneezes.

Moderate cases of respiratory illness can be treated with over-the-counter medications, drinking plenty of, preferably non-caffeinated, fluid, and getting a lot of rest.