Containing rsv

12/03/2022

There was a mild sense of familiarity when RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, made its way to mainstream news. It was nearly three years ago when another highly contagious, flu-like virus slithered into the media, minds and households of families all around the world. COVID-19 created global pandemonium when it could not be contained. RSV is also not being contained very well. It seems that every day, someone new is absent from school or work or the line at the coffee shop every morning. So, are these regular flu season or COVID-19 side effects? Or is RSV taking a larger toll on the city than we thought?

RSV is an infection with common symptoms that align almost perfectly with COVID-19 and the flu. For instance, fevers, coughs, sore throats, runny noses are all regular symptoms of these three respiratory infections.

RSV typically worsens in vulnerable age groups such as infants and those above the age of 65. In these cases, RSV can lead to more extreme respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis. One major distinction between RSV and COVID-19 is that RSV is referred to as a seasonal virus. Seasonal viruses, like the flu, culminate at a certain time of year. RSV reaches its height in the winter in countries and cities, like Toronto, that see a major decrease in temperature. The peak of winter in cold climates is often referred to as “flu season”, a byproduct of the cold drying up the air in the atmosphere. When this dry air is inhaled, the human immune system weakens. In cities like Toronto, with a climate that freezes up in the winter months, citizens spend significantly more time indoors. Frequently being indoors with others increases the risk of catching disease, especially diseases as contagious as RSV.

It is the combination of “flu season” and the circulation of RSV, COVID-19 and the flu that is provoking the term “Tripledemic” among healthcare professionals. Dr. Scott Roberts of Yale Medicine explains that these three respiratory illnesses are dominating the season, but RSV and the flu’s statistics differ from COVID-19. He states, “(COVID-19 is) on a downward trajectory, while RSV and the flu are increasing.” This indicates that COVID-19 is still a very prominent virus, but cases of RSV and the flu are increasing whereas COVID-19 cases are decreasing.

As we hear about COVID-like protocols being enforced to prevent RSV, it is easy to panic about the severity of this virus. However, RSV is easily prevented. While highly contagious, simply washing your hands after going out, staying home when sick can end the spread of RSV before it starts. Vaccines are also rolling out rapidly in drug stores, doctors’ offices, and clinics for COVID boosters and flu shots. There is no RSV vaccine currently available, but the flu and COVID-19 are very similar viruses, so getting the flu vaccine or the COVID-19 vaccine can provide immunity to all three branches of the Tripledemic.

RSV has become a new member of the flu season family and truthfully, there should be no difference in the way we cope with RSV than the way we do with the flu. Prioritizing staying well can contain the spread and ensure a wonderful holiday season.

Sources:

COVID-19 vs. Flu vs. RSV: How to Tell the Difference between Respiratory Infections | Labcorp.

https://www.labcorp.com/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-news-education/covid-19-vs-flu-vs-rsv-how-tell-difference. Accessed 29 Nov. 2022.

CDC. “Flu Symptoms & Complications.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Oct. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm.

Coronavirus. https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus. Accessed 29 Nov. 2022.

CDC. “Symptoms and Care for RSV.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Oct. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html.

“Visiting Family for the Holidays? How to Stay Safe amid Rising COVID, Flu and RSV Cases - National | Globalnews.Ca.” Global News, https://globalnews.ca/news/9306096/visiting-family-holidays-safe-covid-rsv-flu/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2022.

“Watch Your Baby for Signs of Serious RSV Symptoms.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8282-respiratory-syncytial-virus-in-children-and-adults. Accessed 29 Nov. 2022.

Winter Illness Guide. 6 Dec. 2021, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/winter-illness-guide.

Written by: Lyla Weisstub

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