Worrying surge of RSV, flu among SC children as Halloween nears, experts say. What to know
Some South Carolina trick or treaters and their parents could snag a pesky virus along with candy if they’re not careful this Halloween.
Children’s hospitals across South Carolina have seen a swell in patients with respiratory illnesses and as Halloween approaches, experts are warning parents to take precautions to keep their kids and themselves safe.
“Halloween is coming up on Monday and if you feel the need to wear a mask, I think that is very appropriate,” Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands, said of trick or treating. “And stay in small groups.”
Specifically, cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), which mainly impacts children 2 years old and younger, along with cases of influenza, have surged across the state in recent weeks, experts say. RSV is a virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In some cases it can require hospitalization for infants and very young children. Meanwhile, a flu infection can cause serious illness and even death in some children, the elderly and people who are immunocompromised.
“It’s really stressed the pediatric care system,” Dr. Robin LaCroix, pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical director of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Upstate, said of respiratory illnesses. “In the past we were able to space out these infectious diseases (RSV, flu), but they are just happening at the same time this year — influenza is a bit earlier than in the past.”
LaCroix said cases of RSV were currently up 8.7% in the Upstate, compared with them being up 4% in September.
“The rate of rise has been fairly rapid … there are more children in need of medical care,” LaCroix said.
Burch said the Midlands had seen similar growth in respiratory illness cases.
“Starting this week though, we’re starting to see RSV decreasing and some influenza taking its place,” Burch said.
A recent online post from the Medical University of South Carolina also highlighted concerns that the state was seeing a large surge in child RSV cases.
“South Carolina is drowning in RSV,” Dr. Elizabeth Mack, division chief of Pediatric Critical Care at MUSC Children’s Health, said in the post.
The experts said that the spike in respiratory illness cases this year was likely because far fewer people were adhering to infection prevention advice like they did over the previous two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, some people’s immune systems are more vulnerable now, all while fewer residents are taking steps to avoid spreading diseases.
Burch said to fight this latest influx of respiratory illness, people should remember to wash their hands often and follow proper coughing etiquette. Also, wear a mask if you are sick and must interact with people. And if you have children who are sick, just keep them home instead of giving them medication and sending them on to school, she said.
“For influenza, the best single way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot,” Burch said. “It might not protect you 100%, but it will help keep you out of the hospital and certainly protect you from dying.”
