Bon Secours and Prisma Health are implementing new visitor restrictions as cases of influenza and respiratory illnesses rise across the country.

Respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are surging across the United States, according to CDC data. Norovirus has also been pegged to a large number of cases in recent weeks. Here's how to protect yourself.

In the winter months, it seems few are safe from some kind of sickness — flu, COVID-19, norovirus, colds. While many of the germs that cause this misery can circulate throughout the year, scientists think that the winter surge of flu and cold activity may be because we spend more time indoors and the cold,

It may be difficult to make it through the season unscathed, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

Winter illnesses like flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and colds surge due to indoor living and dry air. Recognizing symptoms, practising hand hygiene, cleaning surfaces, avoiding face-touching, masking, and vaccination can help prevent infection.