Hospitals and health departments are struggling to keep up with the early and alarming surge in RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) cases hitting children across the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV is described as a very common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms.
Most people recover within two weeks, but RSV can be serious, especially for the very young, the very old, and those with compromised immune systems.
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“Hospitals from New York to Connecticut to Illinois to California to here in Texas and Oklahoma are seeing surges in RSV that are higher than expected at this time of year,” reported Dr. Laura Romano of Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. . A pediatric hospital in Texas, where patients come from surrounding states.
“It’s not uncommon to see children from Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana who are sent to Cook because hospitals in the states have run out of beds,” said the same doctor.
The Connecticut National Guard has confirmed that the organization has sent representatives to a site feasibility meeting to discuss a potential “mobile field hospital” at Hartford’s Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Planning is considered a “pre-determination”.
“Suddenly, there has been a huge increase in patient numbers, so emergency rooms are very busy and wait times are increasing.”
At M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the speed of care has been affected, reports Fox News.
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“The sudden surge in patient numbers has resulted in very busy emergency rooms and long wait times,” said pediatric emergency physician Marissa Hendrickson, M.D.
“Wherever you can squeeze in, like waiting rooms and hallways, you may find yourself taking care of people.”
Of RSV, Dr. Janette Neshewiat, a New York City-based Fox News medical contributor, said, “It’s a virus that causes inflammation in the lungs. It can cause infections in the lungs like pneumonia.” increase.
“If your child begins to develop difficulty breathing and is breathing faster than normal, you should see a health care provider as soon as possible.”
She said, “And what we’re seeing now is that it’s causing about 60,000 hospitalizations for children each year. For every three children hospitalized with COVID, up to 30 with RSV.” I am in the hospital.”
Many health experts believe the surge in cases may be related to COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Dr Sankaran Krishnan, pediatric pulmonologist at Maria Ferrari Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, said: , New York.
Although many cases of RSV resolve without advanced medical care, children who show signs of difficulty breathing should be treated immediately.
Doctors advise a variety of measures to avoid getting sick, from washing your hands to wearing a mask.
“If your child begins to develop difficulty breathing, breathing faster than normal, the belly moving in and out with each breath, and the skin between the ribs sucking in with each breath, seek medical attention as soon as possible.” We need to see the donor,” Dr. Romano said.
“Take them to the emergency room. Take them to the emergency room,” she added. please go.”
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Doctors advise a variety of measures to avoid getting sick, from washing your hands to wearing a mask. With the harsh winter and flu season, he fears COVID-19 could surge again.
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“All children, especially this season, should be up to date on the availability of all vaccines, flu vaccines, especially COVID vaccines,” advised Romano.
Maria Paronich and Molly Line of Fox News and several Fox News affiliates contributed reporting for this article.