HONOLULU (KHON2) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a warning about the rise in respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID and RSV. The CDC also ranked Hawaii as very high risk.

Dr. Todd Allen, the Queen’s Healthy Systems Chief Quality Officer, said COVID, Influenza A and RSV are very active in Hawaii.

Norovirus is also still circulating but that causes GI symptoms.

Dr. Allen said it’s hard to tell the difference through symptoms and signs alone.

All three cause typical respiratory symptoms and signs like fever, runny nose, cough and body aches and the only real way to know is through testing but often testing does not change treatment and so has little value. Your healthcare provider can help you know if testing is necessary.

For children, RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization.

Dr. Allen said hospitalizations of children due to influenza are still rising in Hawaii and the U.S.

If there is an outbreak at school, you should keep them home, if they’re sick, you should keep them home until they are fever and symptom free for at least 48 hours.

The tried and true method that seems to help prevent illnesses from spreading is constantly washing your hands with soap and water, cover your cough, stay at home and possibly test.