Toddler recovers in a hospital pediatric intensive care unit recovering from RSV. (Stock photo by Jill Lehmann Photography / Getty Images)
This current respiratory illness season has brought a sharp increase in the spread of infectious diseases.
Here in South Carolina, this includes a measles outbreak that has now affected more than 900 people; the majority of whom are children.
As a family physician who takes care of the very young, the very old, and all those in between, this trend is deeply troubling.
So, when parents ask me how they can best protect themselves as well as their children from these diseases, I strongly recommend ensuring that those who are eligible receive their age-appropriate immunizations.
While the current measles outbreak is understandably receiving significant media attention, I am concerned that another equally threatening and highly contagious virus is quietly and rapidly spreading across South Carolina.
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, can be an extremely dangerous infection for infants less than a year old, as well as our elderly loved ones.
This virus can enter through the nose, throat, and lungs, resulting in dangerous inflammation of their airways. Combined with thick mucus, this can make it very difficult for those infected with RSV to breathe.
More than 60,000 children are hospitalized each year from RSV, making it one of the main drivers for infant hospitalization nationwide.
RSV is a major threat to the health and safety of infants and vulnerable adults across the country, with South Carolina being no exception.
Less than three years ago, RSV swept through our communities, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that more than 12% of tests in South Carolina were positive.
Without strong preventive measures in place, I fear that we may be facing another unusually active RSV season that could send far too many of our children and seniors to emergency rooms.
New advances in medical innovation have been developed, creating safe and effective therapies available to protect our loved ones from RSV.
According to a number of clinical studies, RSV immunizations approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are proven to substantially lower respiratory tract infections.
This directly contributes to a reduction in hospitalizations, including a significant decrease among infants. More than anything, this means families can have increased confidence that their loved ones are well protected from the dangers of RSV.
That said, South Carolina families have a responsibility to take proactive steps to ensure infants and other vulnerable populations are protected from RSV.
If there is any confusion, South Carolinians should be reassured that the latest guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is supported by the majority of medical professionals.
If your baby is born before the RSV season begins, immunization is recommended about two weeks before the season starts. Should your baby be born during the RSV season, between October and March, parents should make sure their newborn is immunized before they turn a week old.
At the same time, adults over the age of 50 who have a high risk for complications from RSV should also receive proper immunization protection. Using these guidelines will help ensure that at-risk groups are better prepared to tackle and overcome RSV.
With respiratory illnesses such as measles and RSV spreading rapidly this season, we should take every available measure to keep our loved ones safe and protected.
If there are any concerns or questions you may have regarding immunizations, please reach out to your primary care provider for guidance, support, and advice.
Together we can make our families safer and healthier, creating a better tomorrow for us all.
Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
