It starts with a ticklish throat, lethargy, a sneeze and hot breath – although the symptoms vary – and the place to be is in bed.

Kiama is being hit by waves of influenza, COVID-19, RSV and Whooping Cough.

These viruses are circulating through the community, which is creating a burden on the healthcare system.

According to the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report for the Illawarra Shoalhaven region by the end of July, there were 172 cases of COVID-19, 272 cases of the flu and 51 cases of RSV.

These were only reported cases and it was expected real cases would be much higher.

According to the health department's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS), Australia has already recorded over 100,000 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

That’s higher than the 2022 yearly total of 95,949 – and we're just over halfway through the year.

According to the NNDSS, Australia has recorded more than 100,000 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza since late June.

The flu saw record low levels in 2021 when pandemic restrictions – such as social distancing and wearing masks – were in place.

Flu vaccine is available and free for those at risk of severe illness, including children aged six months to under five years.

Scientists don’t know exactly how many cases COVID-19 cases are circulating because there is no longer a requirement to report positive RAT results. So few people are getting tested anyway.

If you are over 55 or immunosuppressed, make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

Whooping cough rates are at their highest in almost a decade in NSW. The number of young children presenting to hospital with pneumonia is more than double what it was this time last year.

The latest NSW Health respiratory surveillance report shows that for every 100,000 people in the state, there have been 103 notifications of whooping cough since the end of June.

Stay home if you're unwell and keep away from vulnerable people. Wearing a mask, hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette are important, as is good air quality and ventilation.