In June, 382 children tested positive for the virus, commonly known as RSV, across the Children’s Health system in Dallas and Plano. This is very unusual for the summertime, Carreno said.
During the week of Nov. 20-26, 258 children tested positive for RSV—over four times as many cases compared to the same time last year. Carreno said 64 children tested positive for the virus from Nov. 21-27, 2021.
These high case levels may be due to the precautions Texans took to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as masking, social distancing and working from home, Carreno explained. Fewer people contracted RSV in 2020 and 2021, resulting in reduced immunity to the virus.
Children less than one year old have weaker immune systems, so they are more likely to experience severe symptoms from RSV. This year, Carreno said more 2- and 3-year-olds have been admitted to Children’s Medical Center for serious cases.
RSV season varies annually, but case activity typically increases in Texas around September or October and peaks in December or January, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. This year, cases began to surge as early as October across the state.
Data collected by the DSHS shows that RSV cases reached a peak between Oct. 8-21. Case counts have declined since then, but medical officials do not know if cases will continue to fall or if Texas will experience another spike this winter.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, around 400 RSV cases were recorded during the week ending Nov. 26, which was the latest available data at the time of publication. Physicians are not required to report RSV cases to the state, so case levels are likely higher than the data shows.
Around the same time last year, approximately 100 cases were recorded in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Influenza follows RSV trends
Influenza also hit Texas earlier this year, according to state health officials. Flu cases in Texas and other parts of the Southern United States were at “very high” levels in early November.
From Nov. 20-26, nearly 930 children tested positive for influenza A at Children’s Health Plano and Dallas. In comparison, just nine children tested positive for influenza A during the same period of 2021, Carreno said.
Influenza A is the most common type of the flu and is more severe than influenza B, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Due to the recent influx of respiratory viruses, Carreno said wait times at emergency rooms across the system have increased. She emphasized children with severe symptoms will still be seen quickly, as patients are treated based on the severity of their illness.
“Despite the high numbers of [pediatric] RSV and influenza cases, our hospital is prepared and able to provide the care that our children need,” Carreno said.
Preventing disease
Carreno recommended that all children 6 months or older receive vaccinations against COVID-19 and the flu. However, there is no vaccine available to prevent RSV.
She said it is important for parents to have a good relationship with their child’s pediatrician and talk to them about respiratory viruses.
According to the DSHS, symptoms of RSV are similar to other respiratory infections. For older children and adults, symptoms include a mild fever, congestion/runny nose, cough and sore throat, headache, fatigue and occasional wheezing. Children younger than 2 years old are more likely to experience severe symptoms, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, a cough with a “barking” sound, rapid or difficulty breathing, middle ear infections and bluish lips or fingernails.
RSV symptoms typically appear within four to six days after contracting the virus, according to the DSHS.
Infants and premature babies are more likely to have severe RSV symptoms, according to UT Health Austin. Children who have asthma, an underlying lung disease, congenital heart disease, Down syndrome or other immunocompromising conditions may be at high risk from RSV.
