Public Health Concerns

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can range from mild to severe illness and can cause death.  Common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, aches, runny nose and fatigue.  Individuals are encouraged to receive their annual influenza vaccine as this can lessen severity of the illness if exposed.  For more information about Seasonal Influenza, visit the CDC website  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.html or Influenza (Flu) in Virginia – Epidemiology for local and statewide updates in Virginia. 

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes respiratory symptoms which may feel like a cold or sometimes like the flu or pneumonia.  For most people the illness is now mild, but it can become severe for some people at times.  Covid testing, antiviral treatment and vaccines are still available for treatment.  For more information about Covid, visit the CDC website About COVID-19 | COVID-19 | CDC or Coronavirus for statewide updates in Virginia. 

RSV is a common respiratory virus with cold like symptoms. RSV illnesses typically begin in the fall and peak during the winter.  Some individuals are eligible for a vaccine to protect against RSV infections depending on their risk factors and age.  For more information about RSV, visit the CDC website  https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Epidemiology for statewide updates in Virginia.