FRANKLIN COUNTY – As the 2025 holiday season peaks, residents of Franklin County are experiencing a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, “the triple threat” of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV is officially gaining momentum across the Commonwealth.
The current landscape
The CDC’s most recent respiratory virus summary, released mid-December 2025, lists influenza activity in Pennsylvania as “low but increasing rapidly.” Health officials are particularly concerned by the emergence of a new flu variant, Influenza A H3N2 subclade K. While this variant was not included in this year’s standard vaccine, medical experts emphasize that the current flu shot still provides critical protection against severe illness and hospitalization.
In addition to the flu, COVID-19 activity has begun its expected winter surge. While hospitalizations remain lower than during the pandemic peaks, wastewater surveillance shows a significant uptick in viral concentrations across the Mid-Atlantic. Meanwhile, cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and “Walking Pneumonia” (Mycoplasma pneumoniae) are notably elevated among children and seniors in the region.
Prevention: Your best defense
Health officials stress that the most effective way to keep Franklin County healthy is through proactive prevention. To reduce the risk of infection during holiday gatherings, the CDC recommends the following “core” prevention strategies:
- Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is not available.
- Stay home when ill: If you have symptoms such as a fever, cough, or body aches, stay home and away from others. The CDC guidance suggests staying home until you have been fever-free (without the use of medication) for at least 24 hours.
- Improve airflow: When gathering indoors, consider opening windows or using air purifiers to improve ventilation.
- Consider masking: In crowded indoor spaces, wearing a well-fitted mask can provide an extra layer of protection against circulating droplets.
When you get sick: Remedies and care
If you do catch a virus this season, early intervention is key to a faster recovery.
“Most mild cases of respiratory illnesses like RSV, COVID-19, and the common cold can be managed at home with rest and hydration,” states recent public health guidance.
However, the CDC advises that certain individuals—including those with chronic health conditions, the elderly, and young children—should see a doctor promptly at the onset of symptoms. Prescription antiviral treatments for both the flu and COVID-19 are most effective when started within the first couple of days of feeling ill. These medications can significantly shorten the duration of the illness and prevent more serious complications.
Local pharmacies in Chambersburg and Waynesboro are currently stocked with over-the-counter remedies to help manage symptoms like congestion and cough, but residents are reminded that these do not “cure” the virus itself.
