Lexington pediatricians say parents should be aware of RSV

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – An unusual increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in children worries pediatricians in Lexington as the Delta variant is fueling an increase in hospitalizations linked to COVID-19.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually shows up as a mild cold in adults.

Commonwealth Pediatrics’ Dr. Elizabeth Hawse said the disease causes the airways to swell. Adults normally recover within a few weeks, but this can lead to more serious illness in children, especially those under 2 years of age.

“Little babies have very, very small airways. They have the same amount of swelling and it almost blocks their airways and then they can’t get the air in and out. Then their oxygen levels drop, ”Dr. Hawse said.

Symptoms of RSV include a runny nose, cough, sneezing, fever, and wheezing.

In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory warning of a spike in RSV infections in the southern United States.

“It’s unusual because it’s unusual this time of year,” Dr. Hawse said. “It’s something we normally see during what we would call flu season.”

Dr Hawse said his office has been incredibly busy since the start of summer and they have started noticing an increase in respiratory infections like RSV.

Dr Jai Gilliam of Baptist Health Lexington said he treats an average of three to four children with RSV each week.

“Last year, at least in this clinic, we didn’t see any flu or RSV episodes,” Dr. Gilliam said.

Pediatricians have said that more incidents of RSV statistically result in more children hospitalized with it.

Dr Hawse said it was even more concerning at a time when an increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the state means fewer hospital beds are available.

“You have all the normal reasons children are hospitalized for which we would need a bed and we will not have enough beds if the children occupy them with COVID-19 and RSV,” she explained. .

Both RSV and COVID-19 are spread through respiratory droplets.

Health measures put in place due to the pandemic have reduced RSV infections in 2020, according to Dr. Gilliam.

“So continuing to wear a mask inside, washing your hands before touching your face or your baby’s face, cleaning the surfaces, all of that can help,” Dr. Gillam said.