Urgent cares see rise in RSV cases, but what is RSV and who's at risk?
While the rate of new COVID-19 cases continues to decrease across Washington state and flu levels remain minimal, the Puget Sound region is seeing a rise in a different virus.
Multiple healthcare systems, including EvergreenHealth's urgent cares, state they are seeing a rise in the number of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases.
From September 23-October 23, EvergreenHealth's urgent cares diagnosed 65 cases, going from one or two cases per day to about five a day by October 21.
What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus?
Often simply referred to as RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a common disease that affects your respiratory system. If you catch RSV, you'll likely experience mild, cold-like symptoms like a runny nose, coughing, fever and wheezing.
Typically, you'll recover from RSV in less than two weeks, but for infants and older adults, RSV can lead to much more serious conditions. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) credits RSV as the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in the U.S. for children less than 12 months old.
Who's Most at Risk?
Similar to other respiratory viruses, the most at-risk populations when it comes to RSV are infants or young children and older adults.
Every year, the CDC says an estimated 58,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized due to RSV. Those facing the most risk include:
- Premature infants
- Infants under 6 months old
- Children under 2 years old with lung or heart disease
- Children with weakened immune systems
- Children who have neuromuscular disorders
You are also at heightened risk especially after turning 65 years old. Additionally, if you have chronic heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system, you could face more severe RSV symptoms.
Along with increased risk of pneumonia, you could face more severe symptoms if you have asthma, more severe symptoms if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or you could experience congestive heart failure, which is when the heart can't pump blood properly.
How Do You Prevent RSV?
There is no vaccine for RSV, but there are some important habits you can implement to prevent spreading RSV and other diseases:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you're going somewhere public where you don't know the status of everyone around you, consider wearing a mask.
- Stay at home when you are sick. This could also force you to get much-needed rest and help you recover faster.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Similar to the flu, RSV spreads mainly by droplets that are created when you sneeze, cough and talk.
- Wash your hands and wash them often. It might seem like a basic tip, but the CDC has an entire section of its website devoted to proper hand hygiene where you can find helpful information.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. You probably do this without even realizing it, but wearing a mask and ensuring your glasses fit properly can help you stop touching your face.
Additionally, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can strengthen your immune system and help prevent disease.
Where Can You Get Tested and Treated?
While there are vaccines and medicines being developed, there is no specific one-size-fits-all treatment for RSV infection.
If you, your child or a loved one begin experiencing common RSV symptoms, the best thing to do is to take steps to relieve your symptoms. This could be taking over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Also make sure to drink plenty of fluids so you don't become dehydrated.
In addition to managing symptoms, you should reach out to your primary care physician, especially if your symptoms begin to worsen or persist beyond two weeks. Your doctor may want you to come in for an appointment or have some more advice on treating your symptoms at home.
If your symptoms become severe and need a same day appointment, EvergreenHealth offers eight convenient urgent care locations across the Eastside.
If you test positive for RSV during your visit, your physician will offer advice on the best treatment path moving forward.
More serious infections sometimes require hospitalization, which could lead to oxygen treatments or mechanical ventilation.
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