The Disease Surveillance and Investigation unit tracks respiratory illnesses in Black Hawk County. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services' respiratory illness reports to understand illness trends for the flu and other respiratory diseases. You can sign up to receive the weekly respiratory virus surveillance reports through the Iowa HHS website.
The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or touching infected surfaces. More information about the flu is located on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website.
Common symptoms of viral respiratory diseases include:
See a doctor if you think you have the flu, especially if you're at high risk for complications like young children, older adults, or those with weak immune systems. The flu can lead to serious problems, such as pneumonia, so it's important to take steps to prevent getting and spreading the flu.
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is spread from person to person through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It often causes respiratory illness resulting in mild to severe symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. More information about COVID-19 is located on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website.
COVID-19 infection typically presents as a fever with varying severity. Common symptoms include:
Get the COVID-19 vaccine. To protect against serious illness, it is recommended that individuals 6 months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine after talking with their healthcare provider.
Know before you go:
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Viral respiratory diseases are sicknesses caused by viruses that affect your breathing. They have similar symptoms to the flu and can be caused by viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, or respiratory adenoviruses.
Common symptoms of viral respiratory diseases include:
Other respiratory illnesses, such as RSV, parainfluenza, and adenoviruses, can also cause symptoms similar to the flu and can lead to complications such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
RSV is the most common cause of respiratory tract illness in children under 2 years of age. Para influenza viruses are the major cause of croup in young children and can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis.
Adenoviruses invade primarily the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and the conjunctiva of the eyes. The adenoviruses can cause a variety of illnesses from pharyngitis to pneumonia, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea.
Infection without complications will usually subside in 2-5days. However, it's important to see a doctor if you’re at high risk for complications, such as young children, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems. Bacterial complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, and sinusitis may require antibiotics.