Respiratory illnesses like RSV, COVID-19, flu, and the common cold spike annually. Johns Hopkins experts debunk myths and share prevention tips. While vaccines target RSV, COVID-19, and flu, managing the cold relies on hygiene and timeless remedies.

When broken down by state, most of the country is experiencing elevated respiratory illness, including a few states with “very high” ratings that act as national hotspots, CDC data shows.

Most U.S. states are reporting high or very high flu-like activity, while COVID-19 rates remain lower than this time last year.

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is reporting an increase in respiratory illnesses across Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties this winter.

ST. PAUL — Statewide data released Thursday, Jan. 23, by the Minnesota Department of Health indicates that hospitalizations for influenza and COVID-19 have slightly declined for the first time in over a month. Weekly flu hospitalizations are over twice as high as last year’s peak when cases jumped in December.

SHEBOYGAN – Levels of respiratory illnesses in the Sheboygan area are high, on trend with regional and state data, according to Sheboygan County Division of Public Health. Emergency visits for viral illnesses have been "very high" across the northeast part of the state, including Sheboygan, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Despite a recent 19% decrease in emergency department visits, health officials anticipate that Alabama's flu activity will remain at a high or very high level.