As Texas reopens and things return to normal, winter viruses are making up for the lost time. North Texas is experiencing a rare summer rise in RSV cases in children.

The Dallas County Health Department released a health alert citing a surge in the identifications of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold symptoms in a seasonal pattern.

RSV usually spikes in the Fall and goes quiet in the Spring. Scientists are not sure why North Texas is seeing an increase in RSV cases during the hot Texas Summer. The current theory is our increased social isolation during Covid-19 restrictions kept RSV suppressed during the Winter.

The Dallas and Fort Worth Health Departments have noted the rise in cases. The CDC issued an alert for the entire southern United States after spotting the same trend.

Dallas County has asked health providers to test adults and children with viral symptoms with an RSV PCR test. Dallas County also plans to track COVID-19 and RSV coinfection incidence to help prevent a broader outbreak.

Check out this chart showing the spike in RSV cases compared to one year ago. In most years, we would see a surge in the Winter. This year, RSV cases began to increase in late April. The caseload is on a rapid trajectory higher.

Most people who come down with RSV experience mild flu-like symptoms, but RSV can cause serious illness in children under two years old. Premature babies and children with chronic heart or lung disease are more susceptible to severe complications caused by RSV.

When RSV progress, patients can develop pneumonia and require hospitalization. The CDC tracks RSV data across the United States. Each year, RSV causes:

• 2.1 million outpatient visits among children younger than 5 years old
• 58,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old
• 177,000 hospitalizations among adults 65 years and older
• 14,000 deaths among adults 65 years and older

Like Covid-19, RSV is a respiratory virus. It is passed from person to person through respiratory droplets. Tiny amounts of the virus spread when someone coughs, laughs, or sneezes. We can take the lessons we learned from Covid-19 to reduce the risk of all respiratory infections.

We can slow transmission by avoiding going out when we are feeling sick. We can reduce contact with others who are ill. Parents should encourage children to frequently wash their hands with soap and water and practice good hand hygiene.

Children and adults should avoid touching their faces or rubbing their eyes. RSV can be transmitted when droplets contaminate surfaces and objects. Cleaning surfaces and disinfecting children’s toys also help reduce the spread of respiratory droplets.

The CDC has asked healthcare providers, childcare personnel, or elder-care workers with RSV symptoms to avoid going to work while ill.

RSV symptoms are tricky. Many symptoms are the same as the common cold. Common symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Wheezing

In infants and newborns symptoms may include:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Fussiness
• Poor feeding
• Fever > 100.4

Parents must know when RSV is circulating in a community, we must take these symptoms seriously. Prompt evaluation is needed for any child who is coughing, wheezing, or working hard to breathe.

Most RSV cases resolve on their own in about one week. There are no specific anti-viral medications or treatments for RSV. Severe RSV vaccine clinical trial vaccines are in progress.

Parents can manage a child’s fever with over-the-counter such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen after evaluation by their doctor. Viral illness can cause dehydration so it is important to make sure children are drinking plenty of fluids.

The post Dallas County Reporting a Weird Rise in a Winter Virus This Summer Affecting Kids appeared first on Medika Life.

What is RSV?

RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold symptoms but can cause more severe illness in children under two years old. Premature infants and babies with heart or lung conditions are more susceptible to severe illness caused by RSV.

Each year, RSV leads to 2.1 million outpatient visits and over 50,000 hospitalizations in children under five years old (CDC).

How is RSV spread?

RSV infection is passed from person to person through respiratory droplets. Tiny amounts of the virus spread from person to person when someone coughs or sneezes. We can reduce the risk of respiratory transmission by avoiding sick people, washing hands frequently, and wiping down surfaces and toys that your baby will touch.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

RSV shares many of the symptoms associated with the common cold. For many children, symptoms of RSV infection may include:

1. Runny nose
2. Cough
3. Fussiness
4. Poor feeding
5. Fever > 100.4

Sometimes a cold is not just a cold

Although most RSV children will experience mild symptoms, this viral illness can progress and cause a more severe disease called RSV bronchiolitis. The respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of bronchiolitis.

Bronchiolitis is when the lungs’ bronchioles become swollen and full of mucus, which may cause wheezing or difficulty breathing in babies. Bronchiolitis typically resolves on its own but sometimes requires treatment or hospitalization to monitor or provide respiratory support.

More severe symptoms of RSV and bronchiolitis may include:

1. Wheezing
2. Fast or labored breathing
3. Grunting or nostrils flaring
4. Lips or fingernails turning blue (caused by low oxygen level)

If your baby shows RSV symptoms or has any wheezing or labored breathing, you should call their healthcare provider.

You should also call their healthcare provider immediately if your baby is under three months old and has a fever of > 100.4.

Call 911 if your baby is struggling to breathe or if their lips are turning blue.

How can we manage mild RSV at home?

If your baby has mild symptoms, the illness can safely be managed at home.

Parents can use nasal saline and a suction bulb to remove mucus from their baby’s nostrils gently. Put 1–2 drops of saline in one nostril. Gently lean your baby back for a minute so the saline can thin out the mucus. Squeeze the suction bulb. Place the tip in the nostril and release the suction bulb to remove mucus. Then, repeat on the other side.

Nasal irrigation is most helpful before the baby breastfeeds or takes a bottle before going to sleep.

Parents can also use a humidifier in their baby’s room at night time. This will help thin out secretions and relieve congestion and cough.

If your baby has a fever and is fussy or uncomfortable, you can give them Motrin if they are six months or older or Tylenol if they are two months or older. Follow the age-adjusted dosing instructions listed on the bottle.

Many parents request prescriptions for antibiotics. Remember, RSV is a virus. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections. Antibiotics will not treat a virus or help reduce the symptoms.

How can I prevent my baby from getting RSV?

It is important to remember that you can help prevent your baby from getting RSV by avoiding sick contacts and washing hands frequently. Breastfeeding is also protective against RSV.

RSV can also be prevented by a vaccine given as a monthly injection during RSV season (late fall to spring). We recommend the RSV vaccine for the following high risk groups:

1. Premature infants
2. Infants with chronic lung disease
3. Infants with congenital heart disease

This article was contributed by MacArthur Medical Center’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Abby Boynton. 

The post RSV: What Parents Need to Know About Respiratory Syncytial Virus appeared first on Medika Life.