RSV driving IWK hospitalizations for younger kids, doctor says
Anjuli Patil | CBC News | Posted: Sunday, December 17th, 2023 10:00 AM | Last Updated: Just now
Chief of pediatrics Dr. Andrew Lynk says cases aren't as extreme as last year, shares prevention tips
The IWK Health Centre's chief of pediatrics is sharing tips to prevent the spread of RSV as high cases are currently driving hospitalizations among younger children.
"This year it's mostly RSV with a little bit of flu starting now and COVID sort of a low baseline, but not affecting children as much in terms of hospitalizations as it's RSV that's causing the hospitalizations," Dr. Andrew Lynk said.
With the holidays fast approaching, Lynk said it's important to stay home if sick — especially if there were plans to visit people who are vulnerable (seniors, those with chronic health conditions and babies). He said it's also important to keep babies six months and under "away from the snotty-nosed cousins."
Lynk also recommends people get the flu shot "if you have someone vulnerable in your family, a child under one or an older adult who has health problems ... flu is just starting now, so there's lots of time to get ready."
When to consider going to emergency department
RSV can present like a bad head or chest cold, he said.
"If you're seeing it for the first time, especially as an infant or if you're quite a bit older and you have some frail to your health-care issues, it can definitely be quite serious and end you up in hospital or quite ill," Lynk said.
He said families should consider bringing their child to the emergency room if they're not feeling well, if they're fussy, if they're fast breathing, if their fever is prolonged or if the family is concerned.
"But if they're feeding OK, drinking OK, and Tylenol is working and they're not breathing hard or fast and and they're doing OK otherwise, I would probably keep them out of the emergency rooms if you can because you're going to have a long wait unless they're sick," he said.
Lynk said RSV cases used to come after Christmas prior to COVID-19.
"Then COVID came around and we were masking and isolating and that threw things off," he said. "So it's here earlier."
