MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A baby has died from RSV, which is a extremely contagious virus that may result in severe respiratory sickness, in McHenry County, well being officers mentioned.
The loss of life marks the primary loss of life from Respiratory Syncytial Virus in McHenry County in 2024. RSV exercise has been rising during the last 4 weeks in McHenry County, with an increase in instances for kids ages 0 to 4 years previous.
At the second, emergency division and inpatient visits amongst adults aged 65 and older stay low within the county, based on the information launch. Health officers imagine the low stage of RSV transmission in older adults could be attributed to the effectiveness of the RSV vaccination.
While RSV typically causes delicate, cold-like signs equivalent to congestion, a runny nostril, irritability, decreased urge for food and fever, it will probably result in extra extreme respiratory signs in infants.
Severe signs of RSV in infants can embody brief, shallow and abnormally quick respiratory, a wheezing cough, nasal flaring, problem feeding because of respiratory difficulties, uncommon tiredness, a blue tint to the lips or fingernails and fever, well being officers mentioned. Parents and caregivers ought to search medical care instantly in the event that they discover these extreme signs.
RSV spreads by way of droplets from coughs, sneezes, or contaminated surfaces. To assist stop the unfold of the virus, you will need to cowl coughs and sneezes, apply good hand hygiene by washing palms usually and clear regularly touched surfaces. It can also be important to keep away from shut contact with infants, equivalent to kissing, when sick.
Infants can contract RSV from members of the family or siblings who might have been uncovered to the virus in school or daycare, well being officers mentioned.
There are methods to guard your family members from extreme RSV. For infants below one 12 months of age, a preventive antibody known as Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is accessible, which gives safety towards extreme RSV sickness.
This antibody is run to newborns and infants below 1 12 months of age born throughout or getting into their first RSV season. It could be given alongside routine childhood vaccines. For extra info, go to beyfortus.com.
Additionally, the RSV vaccine ABRYSVO is really useful for pregnant ladies throughout weeks 32 by way of 36 of being pregnant. An RSV vaccine can also be really useful for adults 75 years of age and older, in addition to these aged 60 to 74 who’re at elevated danger for extreme RSV.
The vaccine has confirmed efficient in lowering RSV transmission and stopping extreme sickness, notably in weak populations, together with McHenry County’s aged. For extra info, go to abrysvo.com.
The McHenry County Department of Health continues to actively monitor RSV tendencies all through the season and urges all eligible residents to get vaccinated and take preventive measures to guard themselves and others
