KDHE, University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus reminds Kansas residents to be aware of respiratory virus season

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus are reminding Kansas residents of preventive measures and ways to stay aware of symptoms as respiratory virus season begins.

Respiratory viruses cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths each year.

“In colder temperatures, our immune response in the nose tends to be a little weaker, and that makes us a little more vulnerable to viruses in the winter,” said University of Kansas Health System St. Francis campus infectious disease specialist Dr. Prateek Ghatage.

Vaccination is one of the most important preventive measures against viruses.

“For all three of these, influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, vaccination will protect against severe disease, particularly in people at higher risk,” Ghatage continued.

In addition to influenza and COVID-19, a new RSV vaccine was introduced just last May and is recommended for people in high-risk age groups.

Ghatage recommends those over 65 receive the RSV vaccine. Vaccinations are available at local health departments and pharmacies nationwide.

For more information on respiratory diseases and vaccines specific to Kansas, visit KDHE.org.

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