“We’re seeing an uptick in all respiratory illnesses, ranging from the common cold to COVID-19, flu, and RSV,” said Shannon Fecher, an advanced registered nurse practitioner at UnityPoint Family Medicine — Second Avenue North. “There have also been unidentified viruses that have progressed to pneumonia.”

According to Fecher, patients presented with congestion, shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Some patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have also had nausea and vomiting.

While influenza and COVID-19 are not required to be reported, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services describes the overall influenza and COVID-19 activity in the state as “moderate” and “low,” respectively.

According to Angie Tracy, senior clinic administrator at UnityPoint Clinic Express-Fort Dodge and UnityPoint Clinic Pediatrics, providers are seeing nearly double the amount of sick patients that they typically do.

-Messenger file photo
The UnityPoint Clinic Express is located within the Corridor Plaza development. UnityPoint clinics are seeing an increase in the number of patients with respiratory illnesses.

“At UnityPoint Clinic Express-Fort Dodge, we have been seeing between 60 and 80 patients per day over the past couple of weeks,” said Tracy. “We usually see an average of 40 patients per day.”

Patients who are feeling sick and able to recover at home are encouraged to hydrate, eat chicken noodle soup, try honey for a sore throat or cough, rest, gargle salt water, take over-the-counter medications, take a lukewarm bath, and sit in a steamy bathroom to loosen secretions and relieve a cough.

If the virus is hanging on, patients are encouraged to make an appointment with their primary care provider or to seek urgent care or express clinics which are open during the day, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

“Many people can recuperate from the comfort of their own home,” said Fecher. “Stay home until fever free and/or improved for 24 hours. Monitor your symptoms. If you start feeling worse, talk to your provider. Emergency warning signs for respiratory illnesses include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, dizziness, bluish lips or face and difficulty arousing. If you have a medical emergency, contact 911 immediately.”