An article recently published in the Associated Press brings to light a recent emergence of RSV. Respiratory Syncytial Virus commonly causes cold-like symptoms, including troublesome coughs and breathing trouble for infants and the elderly, but typically the virus sickens children in the colder winter months. This recent emergence of RSV during the summertime is baffling United States Pediatricians and Doctors and has put many infants in the hospital.
While RSV cases dropped dramatically last year due to people staying home, social distancing, and other precautions taken during the peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic here in the United States, these new cases began tallying as pandemic restrictions eased. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Dr. Kate Dutkiewicz, medical director at Beacon Children’s Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, said after treating two RSV-infected infants recently. Both needed oxygen treatment to help with breathing. ‘’I’ve never seen cases in July, or close to July.’’
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory just recently about an increase in RSV cases across parts of the South. Cases have appeared in many other states, too. Children infected with RSV “usually develop only mild illness, but these infections can be severe for some. Among U.S. kids under age 5, RSV typically leads to 2 million doctor-office visits each year, 58,000 hospitalizations, and up to 500 deaths — higher than the estimated toll on kids from COVID-19.
RSV can lead to pneumonia among adults aged 65 and up; RSV can lead to pneumonia and causes almost 180,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths yearly. Cases in kids and adults usually occur in fall through early spring.” It is theorized that the rise in RSV cases might be due to precautionary parents taking their children for COVID-19 tests who otherwise might dismiss mild RSV symptoms.
“Whether the unusual summertime virus activity foreshadows less-than-usual RSV this coming winter is uncertain.” Said Dr. Mary Caserta, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ infectious diseases committee and a professor at the University of Rochester.
It is essential for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to be prepared for the rise in RSV cases and the potential for more come wintertime. Novum is here to help Pediatric Departments and long-term care facilities make sure their staff is adequately equipped.
Give us a call to learn more about how Novum can help your facility prepare for a rise in RSV Cases! (800) 274-2742