Cases Of RSV Are On The Rise; Here’s What To Know: Stamford Health

STAMFORD, CT — According to Dr. Gerald Rakos, chair of the department of pediatrics and medical director of the Cohen Children's Institute at Stamford Health, cases of RSV — or Respiratory Syncytial Virus — or not only emerging now, but they're accelerating throughout the community.

The typical season for RSV, which is one of the most common viruses that largely affects children and produces symptoms of the common cold, runs from mid-October through April.

"It's really quite a universal bug," Rakos said, noting that almost every child by the age of 2 has been infected with RSV. Unlike measles or chickenpox, children and adults can get re-infected.

"We see it every year around this time. What's different this year is we've been seeing it earlier and at much higher volumes given the early seasonality of it. It tends to be a winter bug, so we tend to see it when temperatures drop, but we saw it through summer and now as the temperature is dropping," Rakos added.

Rakos explained that medical professionals have theorized that given the way people have lived over the past two years, with social distancing, mask-wearing and lockdowns a part of everyday life, there is more of a vulnerability now that those measures are no longer widely in place.

"There's probably a susceptibility in particularly the youngest kids and kids under 2 who have not been alive outside of the pandemic. So they have some vulnerabilities that normally you wouldn't see across the pediatric spectrum because it is so widely seen," Rakos said.

RSV symptoms include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and fatigue. Young children, especially children with underlying medical issues, and the elderly, are also susceptible to serious illness, Rakos said

"They are susceptible to RSV not just causing an upper respiratory infection or the common cold, but it can descend into the chest and cause a lower respiratory infection, which is much more serious," Rakos added.

Earlier this week as of the morning of Oct. 24, Rakos said there were about three to four people hospitalized in Stamford with RSV, and other viruses. Flu is expected to be prevalent as the season moves along, Rakos noted.

There is no effective vaccination for RSV, although a few are in late stages and show promise, Rakos said. People can get multiple viruses at once, so Rakos recommends getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccine for optimal protection against serious illness.

Rakos also pointed to commonsense preventative measures, like covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands, staying home when you don't feel well, or avoiding others who are sick.

"Be aware that this is happening out there, and there are helpful infection prevention measures that could help," Rakos said. "Particularly for kids under 6 months, if you think your child is getting sick, it's always better to touch base with your healthcare provider earlier rather than later."