From Reuters:
“Explainer: COVID, flu and RSV
this U.S. winter: Why experts are worried”
U.S. doctors are warning that a
surge in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is coinciding with an
increase in COVID transmission and an earlier-than-normal flu season, raising
the specter of a "tripledemic" of respiratory illness this winter. In
particular, RSV infections among young children are reportedly filling some
U.S. hospitals to capacity. "We are already seeing patients testing
positive for more than one virus," said pediatrician Dr. Ira Wardono of
Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana, California, in a
statement.
WHO IS AT RISK? Infants
are most at risk from RSV because they often cannot cough up the secretions
caused by the virus and may need airway suctioning or intravenous fluids. Some
may need extra oxygen. Older children and most adults typically experience
mild, cold-like symptoms. On average, RSV leads to 58,000
hospitalizations among children under age 5 and 177,000 hospitalizations among
adults age 65 and older each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. RSV deaths are rare in U.S. children, but 14,000
adults die annually from the virus, with older or immunocompromised individuals
at greatest risk, the CDC said.
WHAT CAN PREVENT RSV? Infection
with RSV can be prevented in the same way one would ward off any virus: staying
away from people who are sick, ensuring the best possible ventilation when you
are indoors, wearing a high quality mask, and keeping your hands as clean as
possible, said Dr. Jay Varma, Chief Medical Adviser at Kroll.com and Director
of the Weill Cornell Center for Pandemic Prevention and Response. High-risk
infants can receive preventive treatment with monthly doses of Synagis
(palivizumab) from Swedish drugmaker Orphan Biovitrum. AstraZeneca Plc and
Sanofi SA are hoping for U.S. and European approval of Beyfortus (nirsevimab)
for preventing RSV infections in newborns and infants. There is no
vaccine against RSV, although Pfizer Inc is developing RSVpreF for adults. In
the meantime, it is important "for everyone to get up to date on their
COVID and flu vaccines," Varma said.
WHAT IS CAUSING THIS SURGE? Part
of the increase in RSV cases is due to the relaxation of COVID-precautions,
such as masking and social distancing, which reduced rates of both RSV and flu
during the pandemic, Varma said. RSV rates were unusually low in the
fall/winter of 2020-2021 but increased dramatically starting in Spring 2021 and
have spiked since late August. The CDC says it cannot yet predict when
the previous seasonal patterns will return.
^ Sadly, it looks like we will
have 3 separate and deadly issues to deal with (Covid, the Flu and RSV.) If
more people – including children – get their Covid and Flu Vaccines at least it
will help with 2 out of the 3. ^
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.