In North Texas, healthcare providers are noting an increased number of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) cases among children. RSV is a respiratory virus with mild cold-like symptoms but can cause severe issues in young children and older adults. According to a Children's Health report in November, RSV cases rose 339% since early October, breaking records with 549 cases, per FOX4 News.
Likewise, Cook Children's Medical Center, another hospital in North Texas, confirmed an increase in RSV infections. Over 25% of tests done between October 22 and October 28 were positive for RSV, according to NBC DFW.
Dr. Jeffrey Kahn, director of Infectious Disease at Children's Health and professor at UT Southwestern, outlined that the heightened increase over recent weeks denotes that mild symptoms such as sniffles and coughs can turn into severe issues leading to difficulties in feeding and breathing for children, as reported by FOX4 News.
Dr. Sandeepa Rajadhyaksha, a pediatrician at Cook Children's in Frisco, stressed the importance of parents being aware of their child's breathing patterns. Furthermore, kids displaying labored breathing or dehydration signs should promptly be taken to a medical professional, per NBC DFW.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approved a new drug for pediatric use in August, but the medication is not widely available, limiting its use to high-risk patients such as newborns and infants. The vaccine is available to pregnant women in their last trimester, and also to senior citizens, but the supply continues to present a challenge, according to FOX4 News.
Preventative measures, including regular handwashing, keeping diagnosed children isolated, and administering the RSV vaccine to eligible individuals are strongly advocated for by healthcare providers to curb RSV spread in North Texas, as per NBC DFW.
