The respiratory virus RSV has been in the news a lot over the last week, largely affecting children five and younger. Vermilion County Public Health Administrator Douglas Toole says there are significant cases in Chicago, with a few making their way downstate. Mostly likely, that means it will come to Vermilion County at some point. Toole says since this virus is spread by droplets, the usual advice about keeping your distance from someone who has a cold; and then covering our noses, mouths, and washing our hands; certainly applies. He also says that since the symptoms are very similar to a child having a common cold; the two keys are going to be watch the fever, and watch how long the symptoms last.
AUDIO: They’re going to start to show symptoms within four to six days after getting infected. We’re looking at runny noze, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and/or wheezing. If things go away on their own in a week or two, much like a cold, there shouldn’t be that much to worry about. It’s if the fever is very strong, they’re in pain, and the symptoms are not letting go; then yes, go see your doctor.
Toole reminds us that right now RSV is not a reportable disease; where each case is required to be reported to the CDC, such as with COVID. However, very general information about where the virus has shown up will be available.
For additional RSV information, please see this story from OSF: https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/highly-contagious-rsv-hitting-earlier-for-second-straight-season/
