Respiratory infections rising in children across central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — In recent weeks, as more children headed back to school, sports, daycare, and afterschool activities it’s also presented new challenges related to health.

Respiratory infections specifically are on the rise and doctors say it’s mainly affecting children.

“it’s been an unusually high volume of respiratory viruses in our hospital, in Central Illinois and across the country,” said Dr. Douglas Carlson, chair of pediatrics at SIU School of Medicine

Dr. Carlson said RSV, also known as respiratory syncytial virus, is the most common respiratory infection affecting children under 18.

“Most kids with RSV will just get a cold but it causes a syndrome called bronchiolitis and that’s the cold which then develops an inflammation in the lungs which causes hard breathing,” Dr. Carlson said.

Data from HSHS St. John’s Hospital shows in 2019 and 2020, there were zero positive test results for RSV from late September to October in patients under 18. But this year over 80 positive test results at the same time and age range occurred.

“Last year because of protection from COVID and distancing we saw almost no RSV. Now, we’re having a record Fall of RSV including lots of admission to the hospital and ICU,” Dr. Carlson said.

Infectious disease physician Steven O’Marro at Springfield Clinic adds there are other viruses beyond RSV that are also infecting children.

“Also, a threat to children are common respiratory viruses. There are other coronaviruses besides COVID and there are rhinoviruses, so there’s a whole spectrum of virus illnesses and bacterial illnesses which we vaccinate people,” O’Marro said.

But Carlson says following health protocols like wearing masks and distancing can help with the rising respiratory infections.

“All of us are spreading colds like we didn't a year ago, we’re taking chances and not wearing masks as much, but with that comes cold,” Dr. Carlson said. “We don't know where things are going but we do anticipate it is likely to have a normal busy, bad, viral winter.”

Health experts say with winter starting soon they’re expecting respiratory infection rates to remain where they are now or go up but they add getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu can help keep infection rates down.

Dr. Carlson says children can die from RSV but as of right now there are no children deaths from RSV this year in Springfield.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no licensed vaccine for RSV.