At the start of the school year, pediatricians worry not only about COVID, but also about more and more cases of RSV in children

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BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – As the school year begins, area doctors are concerned about COVID-19 and growing cases of RSV.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common respiratory virus that has symptoms similar to COVID and hits young children hard.

The Brazos County Health District tells us that RSV is not a reportable disease, so it’s unclear exactly how many cases are in the region. The health district said it recently reported 10 cases in three different schools or daycares.

Baylor Scott & White Health says they are seeing increasing RSV activity in central Texas.

“The RSV was launched in early July and it’s pretty much held right now. It’s in the 30th percentile of children we test for RSV who are positive and that’s about where it was a month ago. That is, I think younger people tend to make it worse, but we’re still seeing quite a bit of RSV, ”said Dr. Daniel Ransom, division director of pediatrics for Baylor Scott & White Health at College Station.

Ransom said they are tracking RSV at their facilities in central Texas. He recommends wearing a mask in crowds and says COVID and flu vaccinations are essential this year.

“RSV, COVID, and sadly the flu are all alike in children the way they present themselves. RSV is a virus that specifically targets small children, more severely like those under two, they have a much harder time breathing, ”he said.

On Friday morning, Kristie Yeates and her two grandchildren were spending time at the park before the start of the school year next week. Her granddaughter will go to College Station ISD.

“The kids are excited about it and I’m, we’re so glad they’re ready to go,” Yeates said.

But she knows there is more to worry about than COVID this year.

“My grandchildren’s cousin is a few months old and has RSV. He has been in the hospital for a few weeks, ”she said.

“RSV is basically it’s kind of like the canary in the coal mine what this winter will look like if we don’t cover up and vaccinate against the flu and COVID. It’s going to be so confusing and it’s going to be so overwhelming with the number of people who are going to get sick, ”Ransom said. “We had no flu last year, we had no RSV all winter, and the fact that we had an outbreak of RSV in the summer is so unusual that we are really afraid of this winter though. we’re not doing anything different, ”he said. noted.

Neither Bryan nor College Station ISD had anyone available Friday to treat RSV, but districts say they are monitoring the AME and state guidelines.

Masks are encouraged for those who wish to wear them, but not required.

We have a previous story on the following TEA guidelines from Bryan and College Station ISD here.

We have more information about RSV here.

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