RSV cases on the rise

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville is seeing a rise in cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a virus known to infect infants and young children.

Kristina Bryant, an infectious disease expert, with the hospital says that although cases are not to the level they were last season, the season starter earlier this year. Starting in late August or early September instead of October like last year and another difference, cases don’t seem to be winding down in late November, they are continuing to rise.

There is good news, Norton Children’s Pediatrician Mark Brockman says that a vaccine is available and that some tried and true methods can help prevent children from contracting the disease.

“Good hand hygiene, as we’ve always reiterated, is very important. Those kind of measures will definitely help reduce loose the child’s likelihood of getting this. And actually, we have come out with a new vaccine before it is that will hopefully help reduce these cases in the future,” Brockman said.

This vaccine is even available for pregnant mothers which in turn allows their child to be born with protection against RSV.