Nov. 10, 2022

RSV and other seasonal viruses are on the rise in Kitsap

RSV can be especially serious for infants and older adults. Take steps to protect yourself and people around you. 

Graphic courtesy U.S. Health and Human Services.

Cold and flu season is ramping up in Kitsap County, accompanied by a sharp increase in cases of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). 

While RSV cases are typically mild, the virus can cause serious illness, especially in infants and older adults.

The CDC reports that an early surge in RSV has impacted hospitals nationally this fall, adding strain to healthcare systems already burdened by COVID-19. During a Kitsap Public Health Board meeting earlier this month, Kitsap Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow explained that this trend began on the East Coast and worked its way west, leaving hospitals with "unprecedented volumes" of child patients with non-COVID-19 illnesses.

"We are experiencing the rebound of viruses that haven't been circulating for a few years, which are spreading more easily and causing more illness."

Dr. Gib Morrow, Health Officer,  Kitsap Public Health District

In Kitsap County, our most recent Respiratory Illness Report shows RSV spreading at a much higher level than in recent years. Of the 101 RSV tests reported in Kitsap last week, 32 were positive. 

RSV is impacting other Puget Sound counties, including King and Pierce, where increased emergency room visits have been reported due to the virus. 

Flu (influenza) activity is also elevated in our county, with 47 emergency room visits due to influenza-like illness reported from Oct. 16 through Nov. 5. Now is a good time to make sure you and your family get your yearly flu vaccines.

Dr. Morrow added that simple prevention steps can help slow the spread of RSV, flu and other respiratory illnesses. 

"Interventions that kept COVID suppressed, like wearing a mask and keeping our distance, are the ways to keep it from spreading around," Morrow said of RSV. "It will spread, but we want to tamp it down as much as possible."

You can find more detailed statistics in our Respiratory Illness Report, which is published weekly during the fall and winter. You can also sign up to receive the report by email or text.

Graphic courtesy the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Signs and symptoms of RSV

RSV is one of the common causes of childhood illness, according to the CDC. Most children will get RSV at least once before they turn 2.  RSV typically causes a mild, cold-like illness that goes away in one to two weeks. However, RSV can cause severe health problems, especially in young children, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions. Between 58,000 and 80,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized with RSV each year in the United States.  Common symptoms of RSV include: Runny nose Decreased appetite Coughing or sneezing Fever Trouble breathing Symptoms usually appear in stages. Very young infants may show different symptoms, such as irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties. Call your healthcare professional if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms. MaryBridge Children's hospital in Tacoma created a tool to help caregivers know when to take a child to an urgent care clinic or a hospital.

How RSV spreads and how to stop it

RSV most commonly spreads when:

• An infected person coughs or sneezes
• A droplet from that cough or sneeze gets in someone's eyes, nose, or mouth
• Someone has direct contact with the virus, such as kissing the face of their child who has RSV
• Someone touches a surface that has the virus on it and then touches their face

You can help prevent RSV and other respiratory illnesses by:

• Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your shirt sleeve
• Washing your hands often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds 
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick, including sharing cups and utensils
• Staying home if you are sick
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces like mobile devices
• Wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces

Take extra caution if you have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe illness. 

Stay up to date on routine vaccinations

While a vaccine has not yet been approved to prevent RSV, routine vaccinations can help keep your family healthy during cold and flu season. COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. To find vaccination appointments: 

• Contact your regular healthcare provider
• To find a flu vaccine, go to vaccinefinder.org
• To find a COVID-19 vaccine, go to vaccinatewa.org or check our vaccine clinic calendar
• If you need additional assistance, call us at 360-728-2007 or email immunizations@kitsappublichealth.org

More RSV resources:

• CDC's RSV toolkit page
• CDC's RSV surveillance state trends tracker
• Washington State Department of Health's Weekly Influenza Update
• Kitsap Public Health District's Respiratory Illness Report
• National Foundation for Infectious Disease's RSV explainer
• American Lung Association's Key Facts About RSV page