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Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is on the rise in the Carson City area, and young children and older adults are at greater risk for complications.
According to Carson City Health and Human Services, there were 49 reported cases of RSV the week of Nov. 27 through Dec. 3 in Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties. That number brings the total in the area since the beginning of October to 225.
“The number of cases that have been reported to us is about 7 percent higher this year compared to the same timeframe as last year,” Jessica Brenner, public health preparedness planner of the Quad County area, said in an email. “As for hospitalizations, we cannot report on the exact number of individuals hospitalized due to RSV because they are not all residents of Carson City, Douglas, or Lyon counties.”
Other respiratory viruses are spreading in addition to RSV (COVID-19, flu, rhinovirus, enterovirus), but RSV hospitalizations account for approximately 20 percent of pediatric hospitalizations statewide, according to the Nevada Hospital Association.
In Washoe County, RSV cases have surpassed 1,000 since the beginning of October. The Washoe County Health District reported an uptick in the weekly total from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3.
“The 263 cases reported is the highest weekly total seen thus far in the respiratory virus season, which goes from October to May,” the district said in a press release. “The 1,017 cases reported this season is close to eclipsing the total RSV cases from the 2021-22 season, which was 1,043.”
Health officials are urging residents near at-risk populations to take precautions. Those under 6 months of age and older adults are most at-risk. According to the Washoe Health District, RSV is highly contagious and can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, RSV symptoms start within four to six days after infection and include a runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, wheezing and fever. In infants, RSV symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, dehydration and breathing difficulties.
There is no RSV vaccine but the CDC recommends preventive measures such as avoiding contact with those sick, washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and avoiding facial contact.
Those with symptoms should stay home from work or school and seek medical care.
For information about RSV, visit https://www.washoecounty.gov/health/programs-and-services/ephp/communicable-diseases-and-epidemiology/educational-materials/rsv.php