Getting into Fall means the time is coming when we spend more time indoors than outside. Now is the right time to protect yourself and your loved ones from respiratory viruses. Dr. Richard Vetter, chief medical officer at Essentia Health, talks about what people in rural America need to know about respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID, and RSV.

“This is a time of year when we start to see an uptick in the respiratory viruses, and in particular, influenza, COVID, and RSV. It’s very important for people to know that this is probably a great time to consider being vaccinated, which is your best solution to preventing you from getting these diseases.”

He talks about who is the most at risk for catching a respiratory virus.

“Those at highest risk are usually those that are more elderly or particularly over age 65, and then also young people or infants under age one. Influenza has historically been focused on the adult population, but we’re finding in recent years that it more and more affects younger individuals as well, particularly those under age five, and then RSV is a little bit more selective. Those over age 75 or over age 60 if you have risk factors, should be considered for RSV, also infants considered for RSV treatment, as well as pregnant mothers, to prevent their babies from Catching RSV because of the antibody transfer.”

People in rural areas can take steps to prevent catching a respiratory infection.

“Those in rural areas, I think, sometimes feel like they’re not as in contact with people as much as maybe people in urban areas, so they maybe have a little bit of a false sense of security that they’re not exposed as much. But we do find that as people get out and about and interact with one another, they are susceptible. And I think one of the challenges in the rural areas is they don’t have as easy access to health care as people in larger communities do. I would certainly encourage them to consider being vaccinated.”

He talks about where to find more information about protecting yourself and those closest to you.

“So there are several sources. I would make sure you go to a reputable source. Vaccines.gov is a great place to go. It also allows you then, by putting in your zip code, to be able to identify an area near you, where you can become vaccinated.”

Again, for more information, go to vaccines.gov.