MINNEAPOLIS — As we prepare to gather for the holidays, flu and RSV cases are spiking across the country. In Minnesota, kids under 4 are being hospitalized with RSV more often.
Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian is a pediatrician for Hennepin Healthcare and said his clinics reflect the trend the Minnesota Department of Health is reporting.
"Our schedules are full," he said. "We're also seeing a lot of concerned parents."
He said he's seen a lot of babies needing medical attention for RSV. While COVID and flu infection cases have trended down in Minnesota, RSV is up.
Hospitalizations related to RSV are also up, disproportionately impacting kids ages 0 to 4.
"We know that it's kids who are six months and younger who are really at risk," said Subrahmanian. "RSV is a virus that really affects the small airways of the lungs. The smaller you are, the more mucus and inflammation that's getting into those small areas, the less air exchange you get."
Dr. Subrahmanian says it would be a good time to take precautions. Washing your hands and wearing a mask can help keep you and your family safe especially before a big Thanksgiving get-together.
"We want you to have a wonderful holiday," he said. "But if you're sick or you're seeing any of those warning signs, that's when we would want you to take action. If a child is under three months of age, and they start to have a fever, that's an emergency. For kids who are over three months of age, anytime a child is having a difficult time breathing, I would take my child to go see a clinician to go see a doctor or a provider."
For added protection against illness, doctors recommend you get your flu shot and your updated COVID shot. For RSV, babies under six months can receive a vaccine. There's also an RSV shot for pregnant women.
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