An RSV Update by LifeBridge Health

RSV Update

LifeBridge Health Pediatrics has seen a surge in RSV cases, especially in children under the age of 2.

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) virus is a common virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. It usually causes a mild, cold-like illness but it can be serious for some children, causing illnesses such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

RSV may not be severe at first but can get worse. Early symptoms of RSV may include:

Runny nose
Decrease in appetite
Cough, which may lead to wheezing or difficulty breathing

In infants under the age of six months, symptoms may include:

Irritability
Decreased activity
Decreased appetite
Apnea (pauses in breathing more than 10 seconds)

Fever may not always occur with RSV infections.

How can you help your child be healthy?

Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and face.
Do not kiss or share cups and utensils with people who have cold symptoms.
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often, such as toys, cellphones, and doorknobs

When should I seek help?

Call your pediatrician if your child is:

Having difficulty breathing
Not drinking enough fluids
Experiencing worsening symptoms (cough, fever)

Follow your doctor's advice.

Your pediatrician's office or pediatric urgent care is a good option for most patients, keeping the Emergency Department option for the sicker kids who need it the most.

Children's Urgent Care, part of LifeBridge Health's Express Care Urgent Care Centers, has three locations: Towson, Bel Air and Westminster: https://ucc4kids.com/

Pediatric Elective Surgery on Hold

Because of the urgent need for pediatric hospital care for children with severe flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases, pediatric elective surgeries for patients under the age of 15 that would require a bed in Sinai's Children's Hospital are being postponed temporarily.

Children 15 years and older can still have surgery, but they will be admitted to an adult unit if they need to stay overnight at the hospital. Please note that outpatient surgeries are not affected by this change at this time. If your child is under the age of 15 and has surgery scheduled in the next two months that would require an overnight stay, you will hear from your care team. We all hope that the current outbreak of RSV will subside, but that is difficult to predict at this time.

Flu Vaccine:

Influenza A and B are also on the rise in many parts of the country, and we are seeing an uptick in Maryland as well. Please get yourself and your children vaccinated against the flu as well.