Temple, Texas RSV Cases Rising: What You Need To Know for Your Child’s Safety

One of your biggest worries as a parent is keeping your child safe and healthy. That's why it's important to know that cases of RSV, flu, and other respiratory illnesses are rising across the country. In Temple, Texas, McLane Children's Hospital is reporting a 10 to 15 percent increase in respiratory syncytial virus and a 50 percent increase in flu cases, according to KCEN.

RSV Cases in Texas

Doctors at Cook Children's hospital in Fort Worth, Texas are treating around 300 RSV patients a day, according to NPR. ABC News is reporting that pediatric illnesses, including flu and RSV, are showing up in record numbers nationwide.

From October 15-22, there were a total of 7,334 positive RSV results nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which tracks detections of the virus every week.

What is RSV?

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis (a common lung infection) that can be life-threatening for younger infants and older adults. Symptoms can appear 2 to 8 days after contact with RSV, and infected people are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days, according to healthychildren.org. Medications, including steroids and antibiotics, do not cure RSV.

RSV Symptoms vs Common Cold

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most children will have RSV at some point before the age of 2. Typically, symptoms are fairly mild and can include a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. However, RSV can be life-threatening in some cases, leading to dehydration, difficulty breathing, and more serious illnesses like pneumonia. If your child has any of the following symptoms, don't wait. Call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately:

• Extreme fatigue
• Rapid breathing
• Bluish fingernails
• Fever rising above 104°F repeatedly for a child of any age