The cooler seasons provide the Brazos Valley a much-needed respite from the Texas heat but also brings unwanted guests: respiratory viruses.
Respiratory virus season often sees an increase in respiratory illness including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19. While COVID and the flu are expected to have a similar hospitalization amount as last year around winter’s peak, cases of RSV have increased in Texas, according to the CDC. Respiratory viruses are especially dangerous for young children, people who are immunocompromised and the elderly.
Dr. Lon Young, a physician at CapRock Health, said viruses are constantly changing, causing differences between the severity of viral infections each year, and RSV is a prevalent one for 2023.
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“We're just now getting a grasp on the full effect of RSV on our population in the data that we have currently suggesting that RSV might have an impact equal to that of influenza,” he said. “In addition to influenza and COVID, RSV is one of the viruses that is with us every year and causes a significant amount of illness and even death.”
Although RSV vaccinations were recently approved and are available, there is limited supply, Young said.
“When a vaccine is brand new — as we saw with the COVID vaccine initially and with RSV vaccine — it can take a while to get the manufacturing process up to speed,” he said. “[The RSV vaccine] is being limited to those who are the most at risk. Hopefully the supply will increase.”
Some ways to avoid catching respiratory viruses include frequent handwashing, keeping your nose warm and nasal washes, Young said.
“It’s probably one of the reasons why masking was so effective in driving down rates of influenza and COVID, because it keeps your nose warm which is effective at blocking viruses,” he said.
Young said he hopes to see fewer cases of respiratory viruses with additional vaccines and advanced research on treatment.
“As with every medical advancement, and with every treatment, it is dependent upon us having the right diagnosis, the right medication to offer and then the compliance of our patients,” he said.
Anyone with difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood or symptoms that last longer than 14 days should contact a doctor or urgent care because those symptoms are not typical, Young said.
“We have specific treatments for several of the common respiratory illnesses,” he said. “If you start having symptoms that are significant to you, then it's good to see your doctor and have them help you work through which type of infection you had and whether there’s an appropriate treatment for it.”
Dr. Seth Sullivan, regional chief medical officer at Baylor Scott & White, said RSV can be especially dangerous for infants because the virus causes lots of mucus.
“It’s important that expectant mothers know about RSV because it’s the very young babies who we get concerned about,” he said. “The virus causes inflammation in the airways and babies have very small airways.”
One of the best ways to prevent respiratory infection or lessen its impact is to receive vaccinations, Sullivan said, and all three of the respiratory viruses have vaccines available.
“I think what most doctors would do is take a look and see what’s the most imminent threat right now for the season or previous vaccination status,” he said. “Then they can tailor the vaccination schedule to a particular patient.”
Sullivan said flu season lasts from October to April, and although there will continue to be cases, natural immunity and vaccine exposure lowers severity.
“In the advanced ages, we’ve seen influenza and COVID more mild than before, and I think that’s just broad exposure,” he said. “To be out in public, there is a risk of any type of communicable disease. We want to ensure that we’re protected against the severe consequences of that.”
It is possible to schedule telehealth visits with doctors to discuss symptoms of respiratory infections and whether or not an in-person visit is needed, Sullivan said.
“Remember, not all things need to be seen in the emergency room, but obviously they’re there for those who need them,” he said. “It’s important to reach out because there are antivirals for COVID and for influenza, in particular, especially if used early for those at risk.”
