Topeka ER & Hospital Physicians Advise Parents to Watch Symptoms of RSV in Young Children
The doctors of Topeka ER & Hospital urge Shawnee County parents to monitor their infants and young children for signs and symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as cases of the virus have been rising in several states.
The Centers for Disease Control recently reported the rise in cases occurring earlier than the usual increase seen in late fall and winter, then into early spring.
Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to RSV, says Chad Gustin, M.D., emergency medicine physician at Topeka ER & Hospital, adding that older adults, especially those with compromised immune systems and with heart or lung disease are also at risk.
"In older kids and adults, RSV has similar symptoms to a mild cold, including a runny nose or congestion, fever, sore throat, and sneezing," Gustin says. "But infants with RSV can display a lack of appetite, excessive tiredness or lethargy, shallow or rapid breathing, and severe coughing."
He says RSV could then progress into pneumonia and bronchiolitis, which can be life-threatening.
Gustin says similar severe symptoms can be seen in older adults with RSV, including the severe cough, wheezing, difficult or rapid breathing, and a high fever. And although the recent surge in cases has been in Texas, he says RSV can easily spread north through Oklahoma and into Kansas.
"As we've seen with COVID, viruses can spread rapidly from one area to another even when we take precautions such as mask wearing and staying socially distanced," Gustin says.
According to the CDC, RSV can be transmitted through the air and can survive on hard surfaces such as counters, doorknobs, and hands for several hours.
"Some of the easiest ways to stop the spread of RSV is to wash your hands regularly, cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has cold symptoms," Gustin says. Additionally, he advises parents to regularly clean their children's toys, wipe down countertops and other surfaces their children are likely to touch, and limit infants’ and young children's exposure to people who are sick.
