RSV on the rise in North Idaho

Like elsewhere in the U.S., North Idaho is beginning to see increases in hospitalizations from climbing rates of respiratory syncytial virus infections, or RSV.

RSV is a common virus that normally causes mild cold-like symptoms but is sending people to the hospital at higher-than-usual rates.

“In the past 48 hours, we have had a significant increase in RSV admissions,” said Dr. Vanessa Carroll, medical director of pediatrics for Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, on Friday. “Many are outside the classic age range we expect for admission, with older children being admitted at rates that we have previously not experienced.”

Over that two-day period, there were seven RSV-related admissions of children to Kootenai Health.

"Most children are requiring deep suctioning, supplemental oxygen and IV hydration, but some have been requiring respiratory support due to concern for impending respiratory failure," Carroll said.

Normally, one or two out of a hundred children under 6 months old might need to be hospitalized from an RSV infection, with older children usually at lower risk of more major symptoms like pneumonia and bronchitis.

“We have admitted some children from northern Idaho, but we are also admitting children from eastern Washington given the lack of available beds," Carroll said. “Our situation is not unique as it mimics what the rest of the country has been seeing. The more worrisome part is that winter is just beginning.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is reporting an uptick of confirmed cases of RSV, related emergency department visits and hospitalizations in regions throughout the country, with some regions nearing seasonal peak levels.

Infants have a particularly hard time recovering from RSV infections, especially premature infants or infants with heart conditions, said Jordan Taylor, a pediatric nurse practitioner from Heritage Health.

There is no vaccine for RSV, but the preventative medication Synagis can be used for premature infants less than 6 months old or infants with heart conditions, but it’s expensive.

Synagis can cost about $3,500 per milliliter and should be administered monthly, in 15 milligram doses.

The people most at risk for hospitalization from RSV are infants, adults over 65, and people with preexisting health conditions.

Adults 65 or older, with chronic lung diseases or weakened immune systems are especially at risk for pneumonia, bronchitis and hospitalization if they catch RSV.​

Roughly 10% to 16% of adults who are hospitalized with RSV will die from the infection, according to the CDC website.

“It’s definitely unpredictable how long RSV season is going to last and how long the flu season is going to last,” Taylor said. “COVID-19 scattered cold seasons and lengthened the RSV season, so we’ve been seeing peaks at different times and at longer rates.”

At the same time, influenza activity is on the rise in Idaho and across the country said Idaho Influenza Surveillance Coordinator Dr. Leslie Tengelsen.

Idaho reported its first influenza-related death for the 2022-23 flu season this week, a Nez Perce County man over 65.

“The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is reminding residents that the flu can be very serious,” Tengelsen said.

Because it appears that flu season is arriving early this year nationwide, people are encouraged to get the flu shot now, Tengelsen said.

Flu symptoms are similar to RSV, but come on more suddenly. Influenza also causes achiness, headaches, fever or inflammation.

Vaccines can help strengthen immunities and build resistance to flu symptoms recommended for anyone, especially people 65 and older.

Getting the vaccine could help reduce future strain on the hospital systems from surging infection rates.

COVID-19 is also still prevalent throughout the U.S., as RSV and flu activity is on the rise.

“We have all three of those viruses circulating, and we have no way of knowing how they’ll interact together,” said Greg Stahl, public information officer for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

RSV spreads through direct contact with the mouth and nose, so the best ways to protect against the virus are similar to protecting against COVID-19 or influenza.

COVID and the flu virus spread through direct contact with the mouth and nose, but can also be spread by airborne droplets.

To prevent the spread of all three viruses, the CDC recommends getting vaccines, washing hands often, avoiding touching the face or nose, avoiding close contact with sick people, covering coughs and sneezes, or cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Masks can also be worn to prevent the spread of droplets when people speak, cough, laugh or breathe.

“If people are able, they should get their vaccine now,” Tengelsen said.