Officials with District Two Public Health Department have issued a health advisory pertaining to increased reports of a respiratory virus requiring hospitalization in children in North Georgia.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus affects all ages, but typically infants, toddlers and immunocompromised older adults, Marie Brown, District Two Notifiable Disease Coordinator said.
"What we're seeing is kids in that preschool age range, like toddlers, younger than five, we're seeing increased reports," Brown said.
Brown said RSV reports are typically at their highest in the colder months. She said a recent relaxation of preventive measures for COVID-19 could be causing this increase in RSV reports, as the two viruses are transmitted in similar ways.
RSV is spread through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, as well as through contact with a contaminated surface.
For children six months and older, symptoms include decreased appetite, cough, sneezing, fever and possible wheezing. In children six months and younger, symptoms include irritability, poor feeding, lethargy and apnea with or without fever.
While there is no specific treatment for RSV, symptoms can be managed at home in most cases.
Brown said parents should identify when their kids are ill, keep them home and follow up with a pediatrician when necessary.
For more information, visit District 2 Public Health's website.
