RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus

SARA D. BOWEN, MD, FAAP Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Physicians

It is that time of year again…or is it? Ask any pediatrician across the globe if they are seeing much RSV right now and the answer will be a resounding, “Yes!” The RSV season began with a roaring start. Moreover, it hit earlier than expected, after relaxation of COVID-19 measures in 2022. RSV, coupled with COVID-19 cases and skyrocketing influenza cases, made this past fall one for the record books. Outpatient offices remain flooded with calls and appointments are booked quickly each day. Local pediatric hospitalist colleagues are seeing record numbers of hospitalizations and pediatric intensive care unit bed crunches. Critically ill children are forced to board in community emergency rooms while waiting for PICU beds in tertiary hospitals. RSV, influenza, and COVID are each vying for a seat at the top of the viral illness mountain.

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