Sponsored by Children’s Mercy Wichita.
Viral respiratory season is underway, and you may already be seeing the effects in your children’s day cares or schools. There are steps your family can take to try and stay healthy this year. Keep reading for information on RSV, the flu and COVID-19 for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season.
Can you explain the difference between these viruses?
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV is a contagious virus that can be spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing or touching infected surfaces and then touching your face.
Symptoms include:
- Cough
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
Most children experience mild symptoms, and the body fights the virus off in 1-2 weeks. In young children or those with weakened immune systems, RSV can become dangerous by causing other infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S., and most infants hospitalized with RSV were otherwise healthy with no chronic medical problems.
Flu (Influenza)
Flu, or influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus. The flu can cause you to feel sick for at least a week. It’s contagious and can be easily spread through droplets from person to person. The flu can make you just as sick, if not sicker, than some bacterial infections. Take the flu seriously, and make sure everyone in your family 6 months and older gets the flu vaccine.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache, body aches and chills
- Cough
- Runny nose and congestion
- Sore throat
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease)
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Loss of taste/smell
Anything new we should know about these viruses?
Last year, Nirsevimab (Beyfortus), a long-acting monoclonal antibody that decreases the risk of hospitalization and severe disease from RSV in infants, was approved for use. Nirsevimab is different than a vaccine. A vaccine helps prevent disease by giving a small amount of a virus or bacteria to a person to make antibodies with their own immune system. Nirsevimab is an antibody which is given to babies to help protect them from RSV.
Nirsevimab is recommended for infants younger than 8 months of age who were born just before or are entering their first RSV season if the mother did not receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, the mother’s RSV vaccination status is unknown, or the infant was born within 14 days of the mother getting the RSV vaccine.
Additionally, 3 RSV vaccines are approved from adults 60 years and older.
The virus causing COVID-19 continues to circulate. New vaccines are available for the 2024-2025 season and are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. This updated vaccine will provide protection against serious illness from the strains now circulating. Contact your child’s primary care provider, pharmacy or local health department to get your child vaccinated.
Treating RSV, flu and COVID-19
For these viruses, you can manage fever and pain with most over-the-counter medications. If your child is having trouble breathing or staying hydrated, call your doctor or seek medical care as soon as possible.
There is no specific treatment for RSV, but there are medications to treat flu and COVID-19. Ask your doctor if your child should receive treatment for either of these respiratory illnesses.
Preventing RSV, flu and COVID-19
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
- Keep away from people who are sick
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or sneeze/cough into your elbow)
- Clean surfaces often like doorknobs, car handles, phones and keys
- Stay home if you are sick
- Stay up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccines
Children’s Mercy Wichita offers a child-friendly environment to provide families access to pediatric specialty care that otherwise might not be available without traveling out of the community including Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Hepatology, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery and more.
