KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The rising number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases within the last month has prompted the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department to urge those with cold-like symptoms to limit their interaction with children at high risk for severe RSV disease.
According to a news release from the agency Thursday, those at greatest risk for severe illness from RSV include premature infants, children younger than two years old with chronic lung or heart conditions, and children with weakened immune systems.
Health officials say RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can be particularly serious for infants and older adults. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than one year old in the United States.
While a monoclonal antibody medication is available for select, high-risk infants, there is no vaccine to prevent RSV infection.
“RSV typically affects younger and medically vulnerable children more severely,” said Dr. William Nettleton, Medical Director of Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department. “It is unusual to see so much RSV at this time. With the possibility of flu and COVD-19 increasing as we move into winter, now is the time to get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster.”
Signs and symptoms of severe RSV infection in infants include:
• Short, shallow, and rapid breathing
• Struggling to breathe — chest muscles and skin pull inward with each breath
• Cough
• Poor feeding
• Unusual tiredness
• Irritability
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