RSV Surging In Western Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Local hospitals are seeing more kids come in with bronchiolitis. The cases are mostly from RSV, which impacts the small airways in the lungs. AHN says they typically see infants hospitalized, but this year they’re seeing more older toddlers. Symptoms to look out for include congestion, runny nose and a cough. But, Dr. Alicia Crow says there are signs to look for that could indicate it’s turning into something more serious. Something else to pay attention to is how the child is breathing, which could indicate the infection has moved from upper respiratory to lower. “When it becomes worrisome is whenever you see that your child is an increased work of breathing,” Crow said. “Their noses are flaring. If they’re working pretty hard with accessory muscles. If you see retractions at the top of their clavicle or underneath their ribs. If you’re seeing their belly is working really hard to breathe. Those are the signs to prompt you to seek further care.” Typically, it takes a week for RSV to run its course. Dr. Crow says for the kids they see in the hospital — they treat them and they go home with no long-term complications.