‘Tis the season for viral respiratory illnesses; Vaccinations encouraged to help reduce severity of symptoms

It’s already been a busy season for respiratory viruses in the US and Avera Medical Group Pierre Physician Assistant Jenna Schiefelbein says early indicators don’t show it slowing down before the end of the year.

Schiefelbein recommends getting a flu shot to lessen the severity of the symptoms, should you contract the flu.

Schiefelbein says there’s a reason this time of year is known as cold and flu season.

Health officials say 7.5% of outpatient medical visits during the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 20-26, 2022) were due to flu-like illnesses. That’s as high as the peak of the 2017-18 flu season and higher than any season since.