What is RSV?

With this year’s early onset of the flu season, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is spiking. RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes infections in our respiratory tract. Typically, RSV cases surge between November through April; however, the US has been experiencing an unprecedented early surge of RSV in emergency rooms, predominantly among infants. In infants, RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, a lung infection causing inflammation and congestion in the small airways of the lungs, and pneumonia. This infection inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.

What is behind the rise?

The COVID-19 pandemic is being looked at as the cause of the rise. Precaution behind isolating, wearing masks, and physical distancing not only lessened the spread of the COVID virus but viruses such as the flu and RSV as well. As a result, many infants with minimal exposure to other viruses have likely not developed enough antibodies to build immunity against illnesses like RSV.

This is typically when maternal antibodies can help. Maternal antibodies are passed from mother to child during the last three months of pregnancy through the placenta, helping the baby create some immunity to illness. With pregnant women also following COVID precautions and avoiding exposure to viruses, maternal antibodies are weakened, and an immunity gap is created for the child.

What can you do?

As mentioned, RSV is highly contagious, though often not causing severe illness, with symptoms usually lasting a week or two, dissipating with lots of fluids and rest. However, in the elderly, preemies, newborns, children with weakened immune systems, neuromuscular disorders, and those under 2 with chronic lung and heart conditions, caution is required.

We advise not taking your cough or any symptoms lightly. There currently is no vaccine or treatment for RSV however, earlier testing during symptom onset is beneficial. Rapid tests can help you quickly distinguish between RSV, Flu, Covid, Strep A, and other common infections.