DES MOINES, Iowa — An unidentified illness is stumping medical professionals and keeping patients sick for weeks on end in the Des Moines area. Janae Brown, an advanced registered nurse practitioner at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine on Ingersoll, said the clinic and attached urgent care are seeing multiple patients each day with runny noses, coughs and congestion. Many feel sick for about a week, but symptoms return soon after. “What’s strange is, we’re seeing them come back in soon after with similar symptoms,” Brown said. “They’re hanging on to this bug for around a month.” Brown said the cases do not appear to be COVID-19, flu or strep, and give negative results when she tests for those viruses or other common illnesses. With no clear diagnosis, it’s difficult to give patients a clear timeline or guidance for recovery. Brown said patients generally improve with rest and care at home, but some cases have developed into pneumonia. She advised people to seek medical help if they begin to feel worse after making progress, particularly if they develop chest pain, trouble breathing or a fever. To help prevent illness, Brown recommends washing hands and getting annual vaccinations. If you get sick, she advises staying away from others, drinking fluids and resting.
