Is it RSV, flu, cold or COVID? What you should know about the viruses
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Florida, as well as the rest of the country, is seeing an increase in the number of children and infants with respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV.
While the RSV season usually runs from November to March, health experts said the respiratory virus appeared earlier this year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in the middle of October more than 15% of RSV tests are positive, high for this time of year.
What parents should know: RSV in infants and kids is threatening to overwhelm hospitals
Cases up in Polk County: As flu season in Polk County kicks in early, RSV 'considerably higher' than average
COVID, flu and RSV: COVID, along with flu and RSV, increased in one county on the Treasure Coast in October
In Florida, by the end of September, four out of the five health regions — everywhere except the Panhandle — were seeing RSV in children under 5, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases was higher than prior years.
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2, but it also can infect adults.
In adults and older, healthy children, RSV symptoms are mild and typically mimic the common cold.
But RSV can cause severe infection in some people, including babies 12 months and younger, premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system.
What are the symptoms for RSV?
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six days after getting infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of RSV usually include:
Runny nose
Decrease in appetite
Coughing
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.
In infants under 6 months, the only discernible symptoms may be increased irritability or lethargy, decreased appetite, or working harder to breathe.
RSV in infants and young children
RSV can be dangerous for some infants and young children. Each year in the United States, an estimated 58,000-80,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized due to RSV infection, according to the CDC.
COVID still here: BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are now the dominant COVID variants. Here's what this means.
Those at greatest risk for severe illness from RSV include:
Premature infants
Infants, especially those 6 months and younger
Children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease or congenital (present from birth) heart disease
Children with weakened immune systems
Children who have neuromuscular disorders, including those who have difficulty swallowing or clearing mucus secretions
Symptoms of RSV in very young babies
Infants who get an RSV infection almost always show symptoms. This is different from adults who can sometimes get RSV infections and not have symptoms.
In very young infants (less than 6 months old), the only symptoms of RSV infection may be:
Irritability
Decreased activity
Decreased appetite
Apnea (pauses in breathing more than 10 seconds)
Short, shallow and rapid breathing
Fever may not always occur with RSV infections.
Cough
RSV can be dangerous for some adults
RSV infections can be dangerous for certain adults. Each year, it is estimated that between 60,000-120,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized and 6,000-10,000 of them die due to RSV infection.
COVID proves deadly: COVID has killed more people age 65 or older in Florida than anywhere in U.S.
Adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include:
Older adults, especially those 65 years and older
Adults with chronic heart or lung disease
Adults with weakened immune systems
When an adult gets RSV infection, they typically have mild cold-like symptoms, but some may develop a lung infection or pneumonia.
RSV can sometimes also lead to worsening of serious conditions such as:
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD
Congestive heart failure
Older adults who get very sick from RSV may need to be hospitalized. Older adults are at greater risk than young adults for serious complications from RSV because of weakened immune systems.
What to do if you think you have RSV
Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. To relieve symptoms, you can:
Manage fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. (Never give aspirin to children.)
Drink enough fluids.
Talk to your healthcare provider before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines. Some medicines contain ingredients that are not good for children.
There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, though researchers are working to develop vaccines and antivirals.
When should you go to see a doctor or go to the hospital?
Seek immediate medical attention if your child — or anyone at risk of severe RSV infection — has difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a blue color to the skin, particularly on the lips and in the nail beds.
How does RSV spread?
RSV spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or shares cups and eating utensils with others.
You can help protect yourself and others from RSV infections by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
What's the latest on COVID-19?
The omicron variant that caused so many infections last winter is still around, but it has split into many subvariants. Two subvariants — BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 — now account for half of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The new variants are more transmissible, making people sick despite previous vaccinations and infections.
Vaccinate: Dr. Fauci's final message before retirement: 'Get your updated COVID-19 shot'
The good news is that vaccines and the bivalent booster will work against the omicron variants.
"Any kind of boost really reduces your chances of getting very sick from COVID," said Dr. Kathryn Stephenson, an infectious disease expert at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
The very young, very old or anyone with immunocompromised systems should still be careful in large groups.
Things to keep in mind
Experts say if you feel sick, get tested for COVID-19. The antiviral Paxlovid, which can help prevent severe disease in high-risk people, works only if given within five days of infection.
If you're traveling, wear a mask.
Get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: RSV symptoms: Know what to watch for in babies, adults. What to do
