What is RSV? Virus with COVID-like symptoms spreads in southern United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an alert regarding a virus with symptoms similar to COVID-19. It’s called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and authorities recently saw an increase in cases in the southern states of the United States.

RSV is not a new disease, it is actually the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year of age in the United States, according to the CDC mentionned in his health notice. Each year, the virus causes approximately 58,000 hospitalizations and 100 to 500 deaths in children under five. In adults aged 65 and over, it causes 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths each year.

The virus is spread through respiratory droplets when a person sneezes or coughs, or by contact with a contaminated surface. In the United States, as well as other places with similar climates, such as infections occur mainly in autumn, winter and spring.

Increase in RSV cases in southern US states

In 2020, there has been a drop in RSV cases, possibly due to public health measures adopted for COVID-19. However, the CDC has observed an increase in RSV cases since late March of this year, particularly in southern states.

“The CDC has noted an increase in laboratory detections and percentages of positive detections for antigen and PCR testing in parts of HHS Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) and Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas), ”the advisory noted.

Covid-like symptoms

The CDC has advised clinicians to be aware of symptoms of RSV in different age groups. For example, in adults and older children, RSV symptoms tend to be mild and can ‘mimic’ cold symptoms like sneezing, sore throat, mild fever and headache, Mayo Clinic Noted.

However, infants, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised are at greater risk of developing a serious infection. Symptoms of a serious RSV infection can include a severe cough, wheezing, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, and a bluish color of the skin.

Infants under six months of age may also have symptoms such as irritability, poor nutrition and lethargy, while older infants may have runny nose and decreased appetite a few days before they develop a cough. according to the CDC.

“Due to the reduced circulation of RSV during the winter months of 2020 to 2021, older infants and toddlers may now be at increased risk for serious disease associated with RSV because they likely do not have no typical levels of RSV exposure in the past 15 months, “the CDC said.

“Powerful” viruses

Symptoms of RSV can be quite similar to those of COVID-19[feminine. Le CDC exhorte les cliniciens à envisager de tester le VRS ou d’autres agents pathogènes respiratoires si les patients présentent ces symptômes mais sont négatifs pour COVID-19.

L’agence a également conseillé aux travailleurs de la santé, y compris les prestataires de services de garde d’enfants et ceux qui travaillent dans des établissements de soins de longue durée, de ne pas aller travailler s’ils sont malades, même s’ils ont été testés négatifs pour COVID-19.

“Vous devez vous rappeler que les virus sont assez puissants”, Dr Valerie Scott, médecin au Roper St. Francis Physician Partners Primary Care en Caroline du Sud, mentionné, a rapporté WCSC TV, affilié à CBS. “Nous nous sommes rendus compte que COVID nous a mis à genoux, mais il y en a d’autres qui nous affectent depuis des années.”

This is an image showing the logo of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on October 5, 2014. Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images