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A leading doctor at a Texas children’s hospital said he was treating dozens of children admitted for both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19, and many more have been tested positive for both viruses but did not require hospitalization.
“The combination, we don’t have enough data to know if it’s much worse than having one or the other, but you have two life-threatening illnesses attacking the same child, so we’re taking this very , very seriously, ”said Dr. Lara Shekerdemian, chief of intensive care at Texas Children’s Hospital, told KHOU.com.
Updated data from the US Department of Health and Human Services showed on Monday that there are approximately 1,900 children in the United States hospitalized with COVID-19. Texas has one of the highest numbers of pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 170 confirmed cases. Florida leads with 199 and California 107.
CHILDREN IN HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19 REACH RECORD, DATA REVEALS
Shekerdemian said he has around 30 patients who carry both viruses.
At another hospital, a 4-month-old boy is in intensive care as he deals with the two viruses, Fox 4 News reported. Hudson Hooten’s mother told the outlet he was recovering at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas using oxygen and fluids.
“The combination of RSV and COVID has certainly proven to be very, very difficult, especially this is where we will see our young children who have problems with COVID, is when they have both,” Dr Seth Kaplan, president of the Texas Pediatric Society. , the newspaper said.
Earlier this summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that there was an unusual increase in the number of reported RSV cases. The disease, typically seen during the fall and winter months, can be associated with serious illness in young children and older adults, but almost all children are expected to have had an infection with RSV before their second birthday.
However, due to lower than expected numbers reported last year, likely due to the numerous COVID-19 preventive measures that had been put in place, the agency warned that older infants and toddlers could be exposed. at an increased risk of serious illness.
COVID-19 OR VRS? SYMPTMS TO LOOK FOR
Many symptoms of COVID-19 and RSV overlap, such as cough, fatigue, and fever. However, there are several symptoms that are unique to each one, for example, RSV can cause decreased appetite, while COVID-19 can cause loss of taste or smell, sore throat or sore throat. diarrhea.
Kaplan, who is not involved in Hooten’s care, said he and others were “worried” about what might happen when flu season arrives.
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“The most important thing for children under the age of 12 will be to wear this mask,” he told Fox 4 News. “If you are eligible to get vaccinated, please get vaccinated.”
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