October 4th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Lately the weather has been unpredictable with severe droughts giving way to heavy rains.  In the midst of that, the seasons are also changing and with the changes brings an increase in respiratory illness.  Recently, Dr. Matthew Simmons, Infectious Disease Physician and Chief Medical Officer at UPMC Western Maryland, shared with WCBC some of the things individuals, especially caregivers, can do to help stop the spread of respiratory illness, including keeping up to date on seasonal flu and pneumonia shots…

“Wash your hands thoroughly. Make sure if you’re around somebody that’s sick that they’re using good respiratory hygiene, sneeze into the crook of your elbow, cough in to the crook of your elbow, not your hands. And, again, if you feel like you’re going to be around somebody who might be sick or you need to provide care for them, or you’re going on to a location where there might be sick people, and you have health issues and concerns,  it’s best to stay up to date with your vaccines and wear a mask if you feel unsafe.”