LEXINGTON, Ky. (18) – An unstable increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in children is of concern to Lexington pediatricians, as the Delta variant fuels an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually manifests as a mild cold in adults.
Dr. Elizabeth Hawse of Commonwealth Pediatrics said the disease causes the airways to swell. Adults will usually recover in a couple of weeks, but they can cause more serious illnesses in children, especially in children under 2 years of age.
“Babies have very, very small airways. They get the same amount of inflammation and almost block their airways and then they can’t move and get out of air. Then their oxygen levels decrease, ”Dr. Hawse said.
Symptoms of RSV include runny nose, cough, sneezing, fever, and wheezing.
In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health warning about an increase in RSV infections in the southern United States.
“It’s unusual because it’s unusual at this time of year,” Dr. Hawse. “This is something we normally see during what we would call flu season.”
Dr. Hawse said his office has been very busy since the summer began and they began to notice an increase in respiratory infections such as RSV.
Dr. Jai Gilliam with Baptist Health Lexington said he treats an average of three to four children with RSV each week.
“Last year, at least at this clinic, we didn’t see any episodes of flu or RSV,” Dr. Gilliam said.
Pediatricians said more incidents of RSV result statistically in more children hospitalized with it.
Dr. Hawse said this is even more troubling at a time when an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state means there are fewer hospital beds available.
“You have all the normal reasons why children are hospitalized because we would need a bed and we will not have enough beds if the children occupy them with COVID-19 and RSV,” he explained.
RSV and COVID-19 are propagated through respiratory droplets.
Sanitary measures taken due to the pandemic helped reduce RSV infections by 2020, according to Dr. Gilliam.
“So continuing to wear a mask inside, washing your hands before touching your baby’s face or face, cleaning surfaces, all of this can help,” Dr. Gillam said.