Slight rise in respiratory virus cases in Ohio children

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Doctors are reminding families of the preventative steps they can take to help protect their children from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) on Wednesday provided an update on respiratory illnesses. RSV cases have been low so far this season but are slowly increasing, according to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the director of ODH.  

“That’s exactly what we’re seeing and that makes complete sense to me and while we have these numbers, those numbers now are coming and we’re seeing that increase," said Dr. Jason Newland, division chief of Infectious Diseases at Nationwide Children's Hospital. 

He said the hospital saw a bit of RSV in October, then a bit more in November, and is seeing more now.  

“A respiratory illness with runny nose, lot of runny nose, we’re talking faucet runny nose, cough, and you see that more in the little ones because they have a harder time breathing with all that runny nose," Newland said.  

Infants are often at higher risk, but there are things parents can do. An immunization for infants up to eight months and a vaccine for pregnant mothers have been approved. 

“So the behind the scenes is we’re like this can be a game changer, and we need to do more to make sure we’re making sure people know and can get it," Newland said. 

Newland said he recently talked to fellow doctors about how not enough people are taking advantage of immunization or vaccines. He hopes more will.  

“We need everyone to know we can protect our infants from this bad disease, so I don't want to see you in this hospital. I want to see your infants at a restaurant in Columbus, not at NCH and that's what we’re going for here," he said.   

There is also an RSV vaccine for adults 60 and older. It is recommended for higher risk adults between 60 and 74 and everyone 75 and up.