Respiratory Illnesses

Respiratory Illnesses
RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms.  Some individuals may be at higher risk for complications or longer recovery, such as infants, young children, individuals with certain conditions and older adults (CDC, 10/2022).

FLU

The flu is an illness caused by the influenza viruses. Flu gets passed around every year, with some years being worse than others. While people may think about flu in the colder months, it can also spread in the summer. Visit Wisconsin Department of Health Services' Influenza Landing Page for more information. 


COVID-19

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  • There will still be access to COVID-19 tests, vaccines, treatments, & telehealth services.
  • FREE COVID-19 TESTING: DHS's free testing program is no longer available. Private health insurance or Medicare can be used to order eight tests per covered person per month.  Over the counter COVID-19 home tests are also available at local pharmacies or retail stores.
  • The COVID-19 Information Line (866-419-6988 and WICovidResult@wisconsin.gov) serving Wisconsin communities providing COVID-19 education, guidance, test results, and support is no longer available. Wisconsin residents seeking testing information or test results are encouraged to reach out to their testing or health care provider.
  • Detailed laboratory results and immunization data will not be required but encouraged- which will affect the ability to calculate positivity rate (which has already been greatly reduced because of no home testing reporting requirement).
  • If you are more likely to get very sick from COVID you can build a personal plan by downloading the COVID-19 Personal Plan (cdc.gov). Edit and save your plan to give to family, friends, and healthcare providers.
  • Access to expanded methadone take-home doses for opioid use disorder treatment will continue an additional year through May 11, 2024.
  • Medicaid COVID continuous eligibility is ending in April 2023. All members have been assigned renewal due dates between June 2023 and May 2024. Members should not renew until they receive their renewal packet in the mail about 45 days before their due date. The first group of renewals will start in mid-May for members whose due dates are at the end of June. Visit DHS's Health Care Renewals | Wisconsin Department of Health Services webpage for information.

Additional Information Resources
WI DHS's COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) web resources.   
Healthy MKE is also a great resource for trending topics and concerns such as COVID-19 and influenza.  They provide access to information, tools, data, healthcare coverage assistance and more.