Most annual flu seasons also see a slight increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common infection that causes the common cold and mostly affects infants and young children.
But this fall, increases in influenza and RSV in children have strained the hospital system both in the state and the nation. As of Monday, only 5% of Illinois’ pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) beds were available. During the worst waves of COVID-19 over the past several years, about half of all PICU beds remained available, according to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra.
RSV cases were few during the fall 2020 and 2021 seasons thanks to COVID-19 protocols, widespread mask wearing, and school closures. However, this year, schools around Illinois began seeing children get sick with the virus almost immediately after opening in September.
“We see cases of RSV and influenza every winter, but this year’s surge was earlier and more intense,” said Dr. Michael Slater, an emergency department physician at Ascension Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston. “Influenza cases have increased much, much earlier than in any recent season. With more people coming down with the flu, RSV, COVID and other infections that require hospitalization, it’s more important than ever to take the necessary steps to prevent respiratory illness.
At an IDPH press conference held at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago earlier this month, Vohra also added that a lack of available hospital beds has forced children with other illnesses to wait for care or travel long distances. to the nearest hospital with an opening. Plus, a statewide shortage of health care workers has worsened the ability of hospitals to handle surges in RSV and influenza in Illinois, he said.
Locally around Evanston, the health care system is facing very similar circumstances. Last month, NorthShore University Health System saw its highest total number of emergency department visits in October in two years. This increase was driven by a 28% year-over-year increase in emergency visits for the month of October, particularly for children five and under, according to Dr. Ernie Wang, chief of emergency medicine for NorthShore.
Evanston Health and Human Services Director Ike Ogbo did not respond to questions from the Roundtable about local cases and hospitalizations, and what the city is doing to prevent a continued surge.
Meanwhile, District 65 Executive Director of Communications Melissa Messinger said the district has seen an increase in illness-related absences among students.
“While we have had a small number of reported cases of RSV, many parents/guardians do not provide a confirmed diagnosis when reporting their child’s absence due to illness,” Messinger said in an email. “Overall, we’re not seeing anything too alarming at this time.”
Symptoms and prevention
Almost all children will experience a case of RSV by the time they are two years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases are mild, with symptoms usually occurring between four and six days after infection.
Below is the CDC’s full list of possible symptoms you may experience or see your child develop.
- Runny nose
- Decreased appetite
- Coughing
- The sneeze
- fever
- Hissing
“Those younger than two and older than 65 or anyone with a chronic medical condition should be especially careful and get tested if they develop symptoms, such as fever, congestion and cough,” Slater said. “Emergency departments across Chicagoland are busier than usual, so it’s best to start with your primary care physician, if you can.”
Meanwhile, the best preventative methods to follow include the same practices to stay safe from a COVID-19 infection. Here’s a summary of recommendations from Slater, CDC, IDPH and other health officials:
- Vaccine: Get the flu shot and the COVID-19 booster as soon as possible. Children over six months can get the flu vaccine, while children five years and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
- Practice basic hygiene: Make sure you wash your hands regularly, clean surfaces around your home, and cover your sneezes and coughs.
- Disguise: As with COVID-19, a well-fitting surgical or N95 mask can prevent you from spreading disease to others or getting infected from people around you.
- Stay home if you have symptoms: Call your primary care doctor if you or your child gets sick and stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading the virus.
After all, most cases resolve without incident within a week or so.
“The best thing we can do here is to prevent disease and use all the tools at our disposal to prevent the spread of disease,” Vohra said. “This includes proper hand washing, staying home when sick, vaccinations and masking when comfortable and appropriate.”
