These 3 Illnesses Are A Cause For Concern In Rhode Island, CDC Says

RHODE ISLAND — Health experts are warning that there's currently at least a "high" level of three respiratory illness present in wastewater in Rhode Island.

According to the CDC, emergency level visits for flu and COVID-19 are on the rise, though there hasn't been a change in visits for RSV. As of Thursday, emergency visits for COVID-19 are low, but increasing in the Ocean State. Emergency visits for the flu and RSV are at "moderate level."

"When levels are high, it may indicate that infections are making people sick enough to require treatment," the CDC explained.

But despite the low-to-moderate levels of emergency room visits for the three illnesses, there is concern with how high they are present in Rhode Island wastewater. COVID-19's presence in Rhode Island wastewater is "very high" in Rhode Island and "high" for flue and RSV, according to the CDC.

"People who are infected often shed virus into wastewater, even if they don’t have symptoms. As a result, high wastewater levels may indicate an increased level of infections even when other measures remain low," according to the CDC.

And it's not just Rhode Island experiencing the uptick. According to CDC data, COVID-19 activity has increased in most areas of the country. Flu activity remains elevated across the country, and RSV activity is "very high" in many areas of the country, particularly in young children.

The CDC predicts that peak hospitalizations from all respiratory viruses remain likely to be much higher than they were before the emergence of COVID-19.

How do I know whether I have the cold, the flu, COVID-19 or something else?

Some symptoms are hard to distinguish among illnesses, especially with respiratory viruses. Others are unmistakable.

Here's what to know about the illnesses currently spreading in the area:

• Norovirus is a foodborne illness that can spread through water and contaminated surfaces and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain for about one to three days.
• The common cold can be caused by several types of viruses and can cause a runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headaches, body aches or low fever for less than a week.
• The flu, caused by influenza viruses that are always changing, leads to fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches and feeling tired. Flu symptoms tend to hit more quickly than cold symptoms, and can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
• COVID-19 can cause fever, chills, cough, short of breath, sore throat, congestion, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, aches, headache, nausea, or vomiting for several days.
• RSV can cause a runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever and a loss of appetite for a week or two.

How to protect yourself from getting sick

Wash your hands. Seriously. Rigorous and frequent handwashing — with soap! — is crucial to reduce the spread of norovirus, colds, flu and COVID-19. This is especially true after using the bathroom and eating or preparing food, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

If norovirus has found you, you'll want to immediately clean surfaces that came in contact with contaminated food or bodily fluids. The CDC recommends disinfecting things with a chlorine bleach solution or one of the products listed on this Environmental Protection Agency website.
Don't forget to wash any clothing that came in contact with vomit or feces — use hot water and detergent. Then, wash your hands.

With colds and flu, it's best to regularly clean surfaces that you come into a lot of contact with. Think doorknobs, light switches, countertops, beloved toys, cellphones. Use household cleaning products that contain soap or detergent, and follow it up with a sanitizer. The CDC has more tips on how to clean. COVID-19 generally spreads through the air from droplets and particles, and the CDC says the risk of getting the virus from a contaminated surface is low.

Viruses can spread through talking, coughing and sneezing, so cover your mouth with a tissue if you feel a tickle in your throat or your nose. Then, wash your hands. Again.

Also, even if you're not sick, consider masking in crowded areas with an N95 or medical-grade mask to protect yourself from respiratory viruses. Don't touch your face: If you have a germ or virus on your unwashed hands — respiratory or norovirus — and touch your face, eyes or nose, it can get into your mucus membranes and, voila!, you're sick!

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available, as well as annual flu shots for people 6 months and older. For those 60 and older or for people who are pregnant, you may want to get the RSV vaccine.
But there is no vaccine for norovirus or the common cold.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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