Could we see a double whammy?
Health officials are wondering if we might see an RSV outbreak to accompany the recent flu epidemic.
RSV is a virus that usually hits this time of year. Infants and young children are mostly affected.
For parents this could be a big concern, considering the flu and RSV can be hard to tell apart.
"RSV comes on more subtle. Congestion first, and then harsh coughing, wheezing may start two to four days in,” Dr. Brad Brabec, of Lincoln Pediatric Associates says.
Dr. Brabec says the flu typically hits much faster. RSV is treated like many viruses by controlling the fever and drinking lots of fluids. So far, doctors say the virus hasn't hit yet.
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- Much of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination.
- Influenza vaccine is specifically recommended for people who are at high risk for developing serious complications as a result of influenza infection.
- These high-risk groups are:
- All people age 65 and older.
- People of any age with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs or kidneys, diabetes, immunosuppression, or severe forms of anemia.
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities housing patients of any age.
- Women who will be more then three months pregnant during influenza season.
- Children and teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who may therefore be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after an influenza virus infection.
- Overall vaccine effectiveness varies from year to year, depending upon the degree of similarity between the influenza virus strains included in the vaccine and the strain or strains that circulate during the influenza season.
- Influenza vaccine produced in the United States cannot cause influenza.
- The only type of influenza vaccine that has been licensed in the United States is made from killed influenza viruses, which cannot cause infection.
When to receive the influenza vaccine
- In the United States, influenza usually occurs from about November until April, with activity peaking between late December and early March.
- The optimal time for vaccination of persons at high risk for influenza-related medical complications is during October through November.
- It takes about 1 to 2 weeks after vaccination for antibody against influenza to develop and provide protection.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluvac.htm ( The Center for Disease Control Vaccine Information Web site)