RSV cases may start to rise
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning doctors that cases of respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, are rising in the Southeast — and that a regional increase is likely to increase in the rest of the United States over the next two to three months .Video above: Here’s what parents should know about COVID, influenza, and RSV vaccines: “Historically, such regional increases have predicted the onset of RSV season nationally, with increased RSV activity increasing in subsequent spread north and west in two to three months,” the CDC Health Alert Network recommended. The Notices are communications to physicians and other healthcare providers throughout the United States. RSV is a virus that attacks the lower lungs. In babies with tiny airways, RSV can cause the lungs to fill with mucus, making it difficult to breathe. In the United States, it is the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants under one year old. The infection can also be serious for older people. An estimated 60,000 to 160,000 adults ages 60 and older are hospitalized with RSV annually. RSV levels began rising in the South in late July and have more than doubled over the past month, according to CDC data, although they are nowhere near last season’s peak. Last year’s RSV season in the United States was one of the worst on many doctors’ memories. The agency said it is encouraging doctors to give new vaccines to babies and adults over 60 as soon as they become available. Video below: Pediatric infectious disease specialist discusses the importance of a new RSV vaccineTwo new RSV vaccines for seniors are now available but may require a doctor’s prescription and may not be covered by insurance. If not covered by insurance, vaccinations cost around $300. A new vaccine for babies and young children will also be available this fall, the release said. They are encouraging doctors to prepare for the vaccine – a new monoclonal antibody called Beyfortus – once it becomes available in early October. The CDC says doctors should also talk about other available respiratory infection vaccines. Flu shots are already available at drugstores and doctor’s offices, and updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available later this month. The agency is advising doctors to test high-risk patients with respiratory symptoms to help remedy All three respiratory infections are expected to occur in the fall and winter with some overlap, creating a triple risk of lung infections that could strain hospital capacity like last year . Those most at risk are people with previous illnesses, pregnant women and the very young or very old.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning doctors that cases of respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, are rising in the Southeast — and that a regional increase is likely to increase in the rest of the United States over the next two to three months could indicate .
Video above: Here’s what parents should know about COVID, flu and RSV vaccines
“Historically, such regional increases have predicted the onset of RSV season nationally, with increased RSV activity spreading north and west over the following two to three months,” reads the CDC Health Alert Network recommendation . The Notices are communications to physicians and other healthcare providers in the United States.
RSV is a virus that attacks the lower lungs. In babies with tiny airways, RSV can cause the lungs to fill with mucus, making it difficult to breathe. It is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants under the age of one year in the United States.
The infection can also be serious for the elderly. An estimated 60,000 to 160,000 adults ages 60 and older are hospitalized by RSV annually.
RSV levels began rising in the South in late July and have more than doubled over the past month, according to CDC data, although they are nowhere near last season’s peak. Last year’s RSV season in the United States was one of the worst on many doctors’ memories.
The agency said it is encouraging doctors to give new vaccines to babies and adults over age 60 as they become available.
Video below: Pediatric infectious disease specialist discusses the importance of a new RSV vaccine
Two new RSV vaccines are currently available for seniors, but they may require a doctor’s prescription and may not be covered by insurance. If not covered by insurance, the shots cost around $300.
There will also be a new vaccine for babies and toddlers this fall, the statement said. They are encouraging doctors to prepare to administer the new monoclonal antibody called Beyfortus once it becomes available in early October.
Doctors should also talk about other available respiratory infection vaccines, according to the CDC. Flu shots are already available at drugstores and doctor’s offices, and updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available later this month.
The agency advises physicians to test high-risk patients with respiratory symptoms for COVID-19, RSV and influenza to make informed treatment decisions.
All three respiratory infections are expected to occur in autumn and winter with some overlap, creating a triple risk of lung infections that could strain hospital capacity like last year. Those most at risk are people with previous illnesses, pregnant women and the very young or very old.
