RSV spiking nationwide, especially in Southern states, during unlikely season - WANE

(WHNT) — Doctors are warning parents to watch their young children, not just for symptoms of COVID-19, but a respiratory disease not normally seen at this time of year.

More than 1,500 cases of the respiratory virus were reported nationwide this week, compared to just 11 cases around this time last year.

“It’s very disturbing that we’re seeing RSV, and again, pediatricians are very familiar disease, we’re much more familiar with seeing it in the fall and winter, but we’re seeing this emergence now really due to a number of factors,” Dr.

“Specifically, school-aged children were wearing masks so they weren’t necessarily bringing this disease home to their younger siblings.”.

“Lower respiratory symptoms, respiratory distress, coughing, wheezing, even requiring oxygen.

The rise in cases, the CDC says, is likely due to children having lower exposure to the virus between May 2020 and March 2021 amid “public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”.

The CDC also encouraged medical providers to implement broader RSV testing on patients who presented with respiratory symptoms but tested negative for COVID-19.

Landers recommends that parents monitor their children closely for symptoms of RSV, and act fast if they notice their infant is wheezing, coughing a lot or showing other cold-like symptoms.