In recent weeks, respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have been rising in California. The influx is the result of many families traveling during and after the holiday season.
“When I was in Hong Kong, after the first few days, my sister and I got sick,” freshman Isabel Schmidt said. “I have a feeling we caught that sickness from people on the flight over,”
Hospitalizations due to respiratory viruses are steadily growing. Nationwide, COVID-19 hospitalizations are at their highest rate since February 2023, according to Our World in Data. In the last 30 days, the flu has also increased by more than 55,000 new cases.
“I was sick last week after I came back from New York,” freshman Callista Au said. “I think it was because I traveled and was around many people,”
Respiratory viruses are viruses that spread through the air, usually emitted through breathing, coughing, and sneezing when you are around other people. These illnesses can vary in severity depending on a person’s other underlying health issues. The populations most at risk of serious symptoms include young children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory diseases like asthma.
“I got my flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine,” faculty Jay Konik said. “Some tricks I use to stay healthy are to make sure I get enough sleep, take in a lot of vitamins like vitamin C, and expose myself to hot and cold, for example, saunas and swimming in cold water, to help strengthen my immune system.”
In order to prevent the rising infection rate, washing hands and cleaning your surroundings is a great way to start. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get their COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. It’s not too late to protect yourself against the surge of new cases in COVID-19 and the flu, according to the CDC.
“When I was sick I was congested and could barely taste anything,” said Schmidt. “Yet despite the challenges of being sick, I managed to enjoy the rest of my trip and spend time with family.”
