Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has been rapidly spreading in the past few weeks; according to the CDC, 60,000-120,000 older adults have been hospitalized, and around 7,000 have died from RSV each year. RSV is a common contagious virus that can cause infections in the respiratory tract and is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of infected people when they sneeze or cough. This sickness can be fatal for infants, children with heart disease or chronic lung disease, and people with a weakened immune system.

Those with RSV have reported experiencing a runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. Though the symptoms of RSV are similar to other cold-like sicknesses, RSV can make you feel much worse than just a cold, possibly leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Coley Barrier, a media specialist at Mcdowell High School, got sick with RSV in mid-November last year, describing it as a very bad cold. “I was tired, my symptoms were exaggerated, and it just was not a good time,” said Barrier.

According to an article by Spectrum Local News, the high amount of RSV cases in recent weeks has caused a shortage in available bed spots in the children’s wings of NC hospitals WakeMed, UNC Children’s, and Duke Children’s hospitals. As of October 26, these hospitals have reported an average of 208 confirmed cases in the previous week alone. More people, especially children, are becoming sick with RSV as it is getting colder outside, forcing them to huddle up and stay indoors.
Make sure to stay safe from RSV by washing your hands and avoiding those who may be sick, and if you’re feeling bad, stay home from school and go to the doctor.