DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - As temperatures begin to drop, the risk for respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID-19 and RSV is increasing. Healthcare providers urge residents to take precautions.

"Anytime you're having a fever, cough, shortness of breath ... you need to be seen even if there's not an uptick in the community," Clinical Director of Memorial Care, Dr. Anna Richie said.

Richie oversees several memorial urgent care clinics across Central Illinois. She said the area has not seen an uptick in any respiratory viruses. Vaccinations can fight against many illnesses, especially for people with pre-existing health conditions.

"Someone that is really young or the older population has diabetes, we really encourage you to get your flu shot, COVID shot, or even consider an RSV shot," Richi

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