What to know about the surge in respiratory illnesses
You may have seen it in yourself, your loved ones or friends, so it will come as no surprise to know that Cape Cod Healthcare emergency departments and Urgent Care centers have seen a high number of respiratory illnesses since the beginning of 2025.
“If you look at the prevalence of respiratory illnesses, it really spiked after the holiday season and it has just continued to go up, particularly influenza,” said Michael Hall, MD, MPH, who specializes in emergency medicine. “This last week to 10 days, and certainly since the first part of the year, we have seen an increase in influenza and it’s almost all been influenza A. It’s still very prevalent relative to the other viruses. It’s actually at the highest level it has been this season.”
The Cape is not unusual in seeing a surge in flu cases. The CDC released data that indicated there have been 24 million cases of flu since flu season began in October, the highest number in 15 years.
Flu symptoms include a sudden onset fever, headache, body aches, congestion and a cough. It is highly contagious, which is why it is spreading so quickly. The medication Tamiflu can shorten the course, but it doesn’t cure it, Dr. Hall said.
COVID-19 and RSV are also in the mix, but in much lower numbers. Dr. Hall said the following viruses are also circulating:
- Human parainfluenza
- Human metapneumovirus
- Rhinovirus
- Adenovirus
- Coronaviruses that are not COVID, typically referred to as human coronaviruses
Hospital Admissions
The age of the population on the Cape means that Cape Cod Hospital is also seeing more admissions.
“In the community, we have a fair number of people that have co-morbidities, so their severity of illness is a little bit more severe than perhaps a younger population,” he said. “They tend to develop more complications and have more difficulties and result in more hospitalizations.”
People without a lot of medical problems can be seen at Urgent Care for respiratory illnesses, but anyone with shortness of breath or chest pain should go straight to the hospital emergency department.
Even though it’s not common, a respiratory illness can develop into pneumonia. Anyone with a fever that lasts for more than three to five days who has shortness of breath or chest pain should definitely seek medical care, Dr. Hall said.
When Are You Contagious?
“One question I do get asked frequently is about their risk of giving the infection to other people,” Dr. Hall said. “In general people are most contagious when they have a fever.”
