Respiratory syncytial virus cases rise across state

COLFAX— According to Whitman County Public health there has been a rise in Respiratory Syncytial Virus, (RSV). RSV is a highly contagious illness that causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Director of Whitman County Public Health, Chris Skidmore, noted that they have only seen a little bit of an increase in Whitman County, and the poster they put out about RSV is to bring awareness.

“We are seeing RSV in the State of Washington. On the West Side, Spokane. Not a huge spike here in Whitman,” Skidmore said, noting that they do not have the exact numbers due to RSV not being a notifiable condition, “It is respiratory virus season, so there are three respiratory viruses making the rounds.”

RSV can be spread through droplets from coughs and sneezes, transferring droplets from hard surfaces, clothing and skin-to-skin contact.

According to Whitman County Public Health most people can recover in a week or two, but for some babies and certain adults the virus can be dangerous. The virus can be spread for three to eight days after getting sick, but can also be up to 4 weeks.

Using good hygiene like washing hands often, covering coughs or sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and staying home when you are sick will prevent the spread of RSV.

Public Health recommends staying home until you no longer have a fever without the use of medication, symptoms have improved, and can tolerate normal activities. If your family or people in your immediate community are at-risk for severe RSV, consider staying home longer.

Premature infants, infants under six months, children with underlying medical conditions, adults above the age of 65, and with underlying medical conditions have the risk of developing severe RSV.

Symptoms of RSV include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing. For babies they may only have irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties.

There is not a specific treatment for RSV. According to Public Health, most symptoms go away on their own in a week or two. Steps to relieve symptoms include managing fever and pain with medication. Public Health states to never give aspirin to children, keep hydrated, nasal suctioning.

According to the Whitman County Public Health Department people infected with RSV do not need to be hospitalized, but may need to be if they’re having trouble breathing or severely dehydrated. Immediate medical care is needed for a baby if they’re having difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, wheezing or grunting noises, nasal flaring, abnormal chest movement, they are dehydrated including fewer than 3 wet diapers in 24 hours or 12 hours without urinating, and if they have significantly decreased activity and alertness.

Skidmore’s advice to the public is that “if you are feeling symptomic, or having a symptomatic child, touch base with your doctor and get tested,” he said.