As the leaves change color and fall arrives, so do many viruses as we all stay indoors more than in the previous months. Doctors and researchers are concerned that there will be an increase in respiratory viruses this year due to the decrease in mitigation.
The three most common viruses we might see are Influenza A (Flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19. Right now there has been an increase in RSV in our area. RSV is a very common virus, so common that most people by the age of 2 have gotten it at some point. For the general population, their body will fight it off within a week or two. However, for very young infants, older adults and anyone with a suppressed immune system, it could be much more severe. Common symptoms are; a running nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, loss of appetite, fever and possible wheezing. If your student or a family member is having trouble breathing, or their symptoms just don’t seem to be getting better, you should seek medical attention from either your health care provider or urgent care.
There are things that we can do to prevent these viruses…it’s all things that we already know and have been doing these past several years: stay home if you are sick, wash your hands before eating or after blowing your nose, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue and wipe down surfaces on a regular basis. For additional information on RSV, please click the following link: CDC - RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
