RSV: Tarzana mom recounts 18-month-old son's harrowing battle with respiratory syncytial virus
New warnings have been issued about the spike in cases of the illness, the number one cause of hospitalizations for babies. Pediatric medical centers around the country are reporting a significant influx of patients.A common childhood virus took Amanda Bentley by surprise.
Her 18-month-old son, Joshua, had oxygen levels that had dipped dangerously low. He was in distress. Doctors say the culprit was RSV. "There is an upsurge in RSV cases," said Dr. Cesar Chavarria with Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. He said the virus affects the respiratory tract. He usually starts to see cases in February. But this year, it's starting early and strong.
RSV symptoms usually resolve in two weeks. In rare cases, it can be fatal if the infection progresses to pneumonia. It can also be harmful to the elderly and immunocompromised. When everyone was masking and staying apart, doctors say, RSV cases were nearly non-existent.The only treatment is supportive care. Researchers are working on a vaccine for children, but for now being careful means lots of hand-washing and staying away from others who are sick.
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