LOUISVILLE, Ky. — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) kills upward of 100 children under the age of 5 every year, leading to upward of 58,000 children 5 or younger being hospitalized. 

What You Need To Know

  • According to Norton Children's, roughly 1,600 pediatric RSV cases were diagnosed in November

  • The current RSV spike is higher than any peak during the 2022-23 season, Norton officials said 

  • According to the CDC, RSV leads to 100–300 deaths in children younger than 5 yearly

  • RSV also leads to 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5, per the CDC

The CDC said RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but it can be serious. For infants and young children, RSV can be dangerous and even deadly. 

“It can cause copious amounts of congestion in infants, who have very small airways," said Heather Felton, Norton Children's Medical Group pediatrician. "It tends to make them more sick." 

Doctors at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville said they’re seeing more children diagnosed with the virus.

“We’re seeing a huge increase in RSV right now, which is not uncommon for this time of year," Felton said. "We’re seeing more children in the office, lots of kids in immediate care centers, in the emergency room and being admitted to the hospital and even into the ICU.”

The CDC recommends immunizations to some adults and young children to protect against the disease. However, the agency adds there’s a shortage of a shot designed to protect infants against RSV. Last month, more than 77,000 additional doses were released.

“CDC and FDA are committed to expanding access to this important immunization so that more parents have peace of mind during the winter virus season,” said Nirav D. Shah, CDC principal deputy director, in a release. 

Children often get RSV from day care or being around others who are ill, Felton said. She recommends children should stay home if they show signs such as a cough, congestion or fever, but there are many ways to prevent the spread.

"Cover your mouth when you cough, washing your hands, staying home when you’re sick, wearing a mask if you’re sick; obviously, infants can’t do that, but adults and older children when they’re sick, it would be great if they could," she said. "Those are great ways to prevent the illness.” 

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