As residents prepare for spring, health officals warn cold and flu season is peaking.
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EL PASO COUNTY, COLO. -- It is March, but it felt more like May Tuesday with sunny skies and warm temperatures.
Officials with the El Paso County Health Department said do not be fooled though, the winter virus season is not over yet.
Officials there said January, February and March are normally peak months for the flu virus.
Symptoms can include runny nose, coughing, congestion, a fever and body aches.
"The past two to three weeks has been the real bump in our flu activity," Dr. Bernadette Albanese, Medical Director for the El Paso County Health Department, said.
Albanese said the timing of the flu spike is not unusual.
She added many people just have the common cold.
"Flu tends to have a much higher fever and more body aches, headaches, a more substantial cough and feeling overall tired," Albanese said.
What is even more concerning to the local health department right now is the recent outbreak of norovirus.
"Since December we have had 17 norovirus outbreaks in El Paso County, and that is a lot," Albanese said. "So it has been a very busy norovirus season."
Norovirus symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most norovirus outbreaks occur in long-term care facilities, restaurants, cruise ships and schools.
"We work really closely with these facilities when they get these outbreaks to make sure they are implementing prevention measures," Albanese said.
Things like hand washing and disinfecting surfaces.
Simple steps that Albanese said make a difference.
If you would like to learn more about norovirus or the flu click here.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM