New York Announces Two RSV-Related Adult Deaths – NBC New York (47)

Surveillance from the CDC has shown increases in RSV detections and RSV-associated hospitalizations and emergency department visits in several regions across the United States, with some regions nearing seasonal peak levels, according to the agency.

He says doctors and public health workers need to be aware of the rise in respiratory viruses, including RSV.

Complicating matters: an influx of flu cases associated with this time of year and the ongoing COVID pandemic. It can be difficult to determine what disease you or your child may be suffering from, health experts say. That’s why they recommend taking extra precautions for all three.

There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for RSV, but a recent study looks promising.

What to know about RSV

So what is RSV, how can you best protect yourself from it, and what else should you know?

Sankaran Krishnan, head of pediatric pulmonology at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, is among those who believe COVID-19 has been a factor in what he describes as an “unusual increase” in RSV cases. But without a diagnostic test, it’s hard to know for sure what problem is plaguing you or your child.

Short for respiratory syncytial virus, RSV is a common disorder that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, according to the CDC. Most people recover within a week or two, but the virus can be serious, especially for infants and the elderly.

Krishnan says the main warning signs for children include rapid breathing, developing a persistent cough or fever, or continuing difficulty breathing.

The virus typically peaks in the winter, but it began circulating this summer, surprising and worrying doctors, likely reflecting how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted circulation patterns for conditions like RSV. The CDC notes that the season generally begins between mid-September and mid-November and peaks between late December and mid-February.

Positive tests start to decline between mid-April and mid-May, typically. Florida has an early start to the RSV season and even there lasts longer than other parts of the US.

RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia (lung infection) in children younger than 1 year in the United States.

According to the CDC, each year RSV leads to approximately:

• 2.1 million doctor visits among children under 5.
• 58,000 hospitalizations among children under 5 years of age
• 177,000 hospitalizations among adults aged 65 and over
• 14,000 deaths among adults aged 65 and older
• 100 to 300 deaths in children under 5 years of age

How is RSV diagnosed and what are the symptoms?

Like COVID-19, RSV can be diagnosed by antigen testing or PCR. The most common diagnostic measure is a buccal swab or a blood test that evaluates the count of white blood cells, which are affected by viruses. In severe cases, additional tests such as chest X-rays or CT scans may be needed to evaluate for possible pulmonary complications.

Symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19, the common cold and the flu. According to the CDC, people typically show symptoms within four to six days of being infected. These can include runny nose, cough, sneezing, fever, wheezing and decreased appetite. In particular, the symptoms often appear in stages and do not appear all at once.

Nearly all children will have had an RSV infection, diagnosed or undiagnosed, by their second birthday, according to the CDC. For very young children, irritability, decreased activity, and difficulty breathing may be the only identifiable symptoms.

Parents are encouraged to call their pediatricians if their child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms. Dehydration and shortness of breath are more likely to lead to severe cases and hospitalizations. In the worst case, the babies may need to be intubated. In most cases, hospital stays last a few days.

How is RSV transmitted and what about treatment?

RSV transmission is also similar to how COVID and cold-like illnesses are spread. This virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes; Getting virus droplets from coughing or sneezing in your eyes, nose, or mouth. touching a surface where the virus is present, such as a doorknob, and touching your face without washing your hands; and you have direct contact with the virus, such as kissing the face of an infected child.

The contagious period usually lasts three to eight days, but in cases involving some infants or immunocompromised adults, RSV can continue to spread for up to a month, even when patients no longer show symptoms.

Children are often exposed to RSV outside the home, such as at school or daycare, and can spread it to their families.

RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as crib rails and tables and typically live on soft surfaces such as handkerchiefs and hands for less time.

You can get RSV at any age, but subsequent infections tend to be less severe, according to the CDC. People most at risk for serious illness from RSV include premature infants, young children with chronic congenital heart or lung disease, people with weakened immune symptoms, and older adults, especially those with underlying heart or lung conditions.

There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, but researchers are working to develop antivirals and vaccines. A drug called palivizumab is available to prevent serious RSV-related illness in some children, but the CDC says it can’t help treat or cure children who already have serious RSV-related illness, and it can’t prevent infection.

What about symptom relief and prevention?

Over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help control fever and pain, although parents should never give their children aspirin. Make sure infected people stay hydrated.

Here’s what the CDC has to say about prevention, which should sound familiar:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or top sleeve of your shirt, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and cutlery, with other people.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and mobile devices.
• Whenever possible, people with cold-like symptoms should avoid interacting with children at high risk for severe RSV. If they can’t, they should follow preventative measures and make sure they don’t kiss high-risk babies while they have symptoms.

Parents of high-risk children are advised to take extra precautions, the CDC recommends. These include:

• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face with dirty hands.
• Limit the time they spend in daycare or other potentially infectious environments, especially during the fall, winter, and spring. This can help prevent infection and the spread of the virus during RSV season.