Winter months can bring an increase in cases of illness.

Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arbor says that when cold weather hits, there are some illnesses that can become more prevalent. He mentions that the trend has already started for Guthrie County this year.

“Here in Guthrie County, over the last few weeks, we’ve definitely seen a large uptick in all of our respiratory viruses. Our RSV numbers have almost tripled, and in the state of Iowa last week there were 1,300 or more RSV cases, and that’s a 21 percent increase from the week before. Here in Guthrie County, like I said, those numbers tripled. We’re seeing anywhere from five to ten cases in children weekly, and we anticipate that will continue to rise.”

Arbor says one reason these illnesses become more prevalent in colder months, is because people stay inside more than when the weather is warmer. Arbor tells Raccoon Valley Radio that viruses and bacteria proliferate at a higher rate in enclosed spaces that don’t have great air circulation and ventilation. He adds that this is one reason that schools and daycares see many students and children getting sick in the winter.