The latest spike is months early and it's pushing care facilities to capacity. Children under the age of 5 are most vulnerable.
Models of a protein from the respiratory syncytial virus are shown at The University of Texas at Austin on March 31, 2022. A spike in RSV cases among children is pushing some hospitals to capacity.cases among young children is pushing some hospitals to capacity.
Most years, infections typically occur in the late fall and winter, often overlapping with flu season. But at least since last year, physicians have begun seeing surges starting duringChildren's hospitals in the Washington, D.C.
"Last year, more people were wearing face masks and children were more likely to stay home while sick," Dr. Laura Romano"This year, parents are sending their children to daycare and school for the first time following two years of the pandemic. ... Children who haven't been previously exposed to respiratory viruses are getting sick," Romano said.