What is RSV
The common respiratory virus RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can be very dangerous for young children and elderly people. In children under 1 year old, it is the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in the US.
Runny nose, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and/or wheezing are a few symptoms that could be present. The sole signs and symptoms in very young newborns may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing issues.
The majority of infections disappear in a week or two. The viral illness has no specific treatment, but symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers, fever reducers, and adequate hydration.
RSV typically causes up to 500 deaths and 58,000 hospitalizations in children under the age of five each year in the United States. At least one RSV-related death has been reported in Michigan so far this year.
When to seek medical attention
Before turning two, the majority of kids will have experienced an RSV virus, according to the CDC. Many people can heal themselves without medical assistance.
Parents should take their sick child to the emergency room, according to Dr. Erica Michiels, a pediatrician at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, if they exhibit signs of difficulty breathing, have a hard time breathing, or appear blue.
She advises ensuring that sick kids get enough to eat and drink and calling your primary care doctor if you have any concerns about more minor symptoms like a fever, ear infection, or couch.
Expect health care delays
Parents who do take their kids to the ER should prepare for delays. Physicians have noted longer wait times, and hospitals would prioritize the most severe cases—not necessarily in the order they were admitted.
In some areas of the hospital, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital has had to double the number of patient rooms. During busier times, some patients may also be examined on beds or chairs placed in a hallway.
Pediatric visitation is up significantly, according to Dr. Michiels and her colleagues, but she reassured the residents that this is nothing new and that care will still be provided, it will just take longer.
Will there be a tri-demic?
In an effort to keep health systems from being overburdened, health officials are once more advising citizens to take care to avoid contracting and transmitting viral infections in the months to come.
Although there hasn't yet been a notable increase in influenza cases in the state, there are indications that this flu season could be more severe than in recent years.
Similar to this, hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases in Michigan are stable. Although there have been more at-home tests in the last week, the state has been reporting about 1,138 cases per day on average. As of earlier this week, about 1,150 adult and 40 pediatric COVID patients were receiving care in Michigan's hospitals.
Health systems are still worried about the impact that concurrent RSV, influenza, and coronavirus outbreaks may have on their capacity to provide patient care, though.
Prevention
RSV transmission prevention measures are similar to those used to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and the flu. They consist of:
1. Get an influenza and COVID-19 booster shot
2. If you are ill, stay home, even if you tested negative for COVID-19.
3. If you're sick and you have to be around people, wear a mask.
4. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
5. Avoid physical intimacy by avoiding handshakes, kisses, and sharing cups and utensils with others.
6. Clean often-touched areas like doorknobs and electronic devices.
7. Use a tissue or the upper sleeve of your shirt to cover your coughs and sneezes instead of your hands.