WDKY Lexington
Record Ky. holiday travel meets rising RSV cases: Experts offer safety tips for families
Kiley Hill – December 23, 2024
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — As the holiday season peaks, a record number of travelers are hitting the road.
At the same time, cases of the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all on the rise.
Experts are urging extra precautions, particularly when it comes to young children, who are at higher risk of severe complications.
In recent weeks, healthcare professionals across the country have been reporting an uptick in RSV cases. At Norton Children’s Hospital in Kentucky, doctors are seeing a concerning rise in infections, averaging 56 new RSV cases daily throughout the state.
“RSV started a little bit later this year when compared to last year, but we’re seeing a lot of RSV, and cases are continuing to go up. So emergency departments are very busy,” said Dr. Kris Bryant with Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than 58,000 children under age 5 have been hospitalized due to RSV, a highly contagious respiratory virus. Norton Children’s Hospital alone had 25 RSV patients admitted as of last week.
For parents concerned about their child’s health, experts emphasize the importance of recognizing serious symptoms early. “Trouble breathing, having bluish lips or a gray tint to the skin, signs of dehydration, vomiting, confusion, or lethargy—those are all worrisome signs that should prompt immediate medical evaluation,” added Bryant.
With family gatherings and travel on the horizon, health experts are stressing the importance of preventative measures to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially young children.