Is RSV on the rise in California? How many people have died from the virus? What to know

Multiple viruses and illnesses are in the air this season in California, including respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.

According to the California Department of Public Health’s weekly influenza report, RSV activity “remains elevated” in the state.

In the agency’s news release for the week of Dec. 3 to Dec. 9, the most recent data available as of Thursday, the overall percentage of RSV detections in California at labs is down to 10.4%.

That’s compared to 11.1%. the previous week.

The percentage of hospital admissions due to RSV slightly increased at Kaiser Permanente medical centers in Northern California, according to the report.

It was 1.5% from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9, compared to 1% the previous week.

Is RSV on the rise in California?

It’s too early to say if RSV is on the rise in California.

“There is typically a surge in RSV cases each fall or winter that is in progress now in California,” the state health department said in a statement to The Sacramento Bee. “It is too soon to know how this season’s surge will compare to prior years.”

How many RSV cases, deaths has Northern California seen so far?

The number of RSV cases in California is not reported to the state health department.

According to the weekly report, as of Dec. 9, 310 people diagnosed with RSV have been admitted to Kaiser Permanente facilities in Northern California so far in the 2023-24 season, including 54 patients admitted to intensive care units.

Four people diagnosed with RSV have died to date, the report said.

The report shows that one death involved a person between the ages of 50 to 64. The other three people who died were 65 years old and over.

So far, there haven’t been reports of lab-confirmed RSV-related deaths among children under 5 years old during the 2023-2024 winter season.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

RSV is a common virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

This includes runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, cough and a low-grade fever, Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infection disease at UC Davis Health told The Sacramento Bee.

“For most people, it’s a nuisance,” he said. “But for children under one year of age, it can be quite severe. So one out of 100 children ends up being hospitalized for RSV. And then, it can also be quite severe at the other end of the age spectrum for those 60 years of age and older.”

Symptoms of severe RSV cases to look out for, according to the Mayo Clinic, are:

▪ Fever

▪ Severe cough

▪ Wheezing

▪ Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing

▪ Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen

Infants with serious illness may also experience short and rapid breathing as well as poor feeding, unusual tiredness and irritability, the clinic said. In these cases, you or your child should seek medical attention.

What should I do if I have RSV?

If you have RSV, treatment can be supportive care, the Mayo Clinic said on its website.

“Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to reduce fever,” the clinic said, adding that you should not give aspirin to your child.

“Use of nasal saline drops and suctioning may help clear a stuffy nose. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if there’s a bacterial complication, such as bacterial pneumonia,” the clinic said.

Also, drink a lot of water and watch for signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth.

In serious cases of RSV, treatment may include using a breathing machine and intravenous fluids.

Can I get an RSV vaccine?

Those older than 60 years can schedule an appointment at CVS, Walgreens, Safeway or a local pharmacy to get the RSV vaccine.

RSV shots for infants are in short supply, CBS News reported in December.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued recommendations in October that the vaccine be prioritized for infants who are at risk for severe disease due to limited availability.

It advises parents to speak with their health care provider about vaccine availability and take preventative measures, such as washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes and cleaning surfaces often.

Pregnant mothers can also receive RSV vaccines during pregnancy to protect their babies from severe RSV.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.