Respiratory syncytial virus cases are on the rise in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed 1,173 cases of RSV over the past week. That’s more than three times as many cases as what’s typical for this time of year, and caseloads do not appear to have peaked yet for this season.
Dr. Wassim Ballan, division chief of infectious diseases with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, said he has been seeing an increase in patients coming to the emergency room with the virus over the past few weeks.
“The majority of the admissions are related to respiratory symptoms, sometimes also affecting the oxygen level in their blood. So they need to be admitted to the hospital for symptomatic management but also to give them supplemental oxygen,” Ballan said.
RSV is very contagious and common in winter. Its symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or other respiratory infections. Cases are often mild, but Ballan said the virus can become dangerous, especially for older adults or infants.
“If the parents notice that [their child is] having difficulty breathing, breathing fast, they have a high fever, or if they stop drinking where they’re getting dehydrated, then we definitely recommend they contact their pediatrician,” Ballan said.
An RSV vaccine is available for adults over 60. Pregnant women can also get the vaccine, which passes some protection to their babies.
Ballan said everyone this time of year should take precautions like handwashing and staying home when sick to help slow the spread of all seasonal respiratory viruses.
