CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Since the start of the year, the region has seen a spread of viruses and other respiratory illnesses.
Western Massachusetts residents are currently seeing a spike of cases in the norovirus, flu, and COVID-19. Baystate Health said that it saw 40 cases of flu and 15 COVID cases only within the last week.
Doctors say you should seek medical treatment for these viruses if you develop the following symptoms: trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, and a fever above 100.4 degrees that lasts more than five days.
22News spoke with Dr. Armando Paez, Baystate's Chief of Infectious Disease about why we are seeing more cases of these viruses.
"COVID-19 is still around and circulating, although it's much less compared to flu," Paez said. "There's probably people who got vaccinated. And of course, in fact, they're recovered from it, so there's an element of immunity. The flu-B and the norovirus are kind of related to what activities we do during winter season."
With these viruses in full swing, it's important to take measures to keep yourself safe. Practice proper hand hygiene and wash with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, and wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated places
But doctors say that the best thing you can do to protect yourself from these viruses is to get vaccines.