Rise in respiratory viruses raising concerns as NYC tackles COVID-19, flu virus

As respiratory virus cases are on a rise, the country prepares for another possible COVID-19 surge.

News 12 Staff

Oct 21, 2022, 9:55 AM

Updated 796 days ago

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As respiratory virus cases are on a rise, the country prepares for another possible COVID-19 surge.
In most respiratory virus cases, children who catch it don't get that sick, but some hospitals are starting to become overwhelmed with the number of children walking through their doors.
RSV is a common cold virus, which typically comes seasonally, however health officials say these cases are already reaching peak levels months before they were expected to. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that this rise in RSV cases has happened in just the last few weeks using PCR tests.
The data collected by the CDC only accounts for about 9% of the entire U.S. population, however. The skyrocketing cases are hitting close to home in the tri-state with healthcare officials at Connecticut Children's Hospital already experiencing an influx of RSV admissions.
There's no specific treatment for RSV as most infections will go away on their own within a week or two. The main concern with the surge of cases is that it's all happening as COVID-19 and flu virus cases are also taking hold on parts of the country. Health officials do advise people to get their flu vaccine.