TOPEKA (KSNT) – Local health officials say now is the time to prepare for respiratory illness season as temperatures begin to drop.
While fall is traditionally the start of respiratory illness season, local health officials report that illness levels are currently normal and there is no major cause for concern.
“We’re still early in the season,” said Josh Van Drunen, an epidemiologist with the Shawnee County Health Department. “All is normal. It’s very much the calm before the storm. So with that in mind, I would recommend checking out your medicine cabinet, making sure you got your things like Tylenol, Advil, maybe some Imodium. Restocking that first aid kit if you are able and then also picking up a thermometer on your next grocery store run.”
Van Drunen recommends that parents keep children home if they have a fever. Children should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school or child care.
Race Against Breast Cancer 5K coming to Lake Shawnee Saturday
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said that vaccines are one of the best protections against respiratory diseases. It encourages Kansas clinicians to continue following established vaccination schedules and guidance.
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