RSV cases increase in Colorado Springs: Local pediatricians see rise in children patients

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Beds in Children's Hospital in Colorado Springs are filling up after a significant increase in Respiratory Syntactical Virus cases.

"In older kids, it causes something that's more like a cold. You get a runny nose and cough and sometimes a fever, but in little kids, it can cause much more severe illness," said Dr. Elizabeth Vanse with Peak Vista Community Health Centers.

Vanse adds that within the last few weeks she's seen an increase in the number of babies with severe congestion, a cough, and trouble breathing.

"So one of the concerns with RSV is that especially in little kids is that it can cause it can cause them to have so much mucus in their lungs and in their nose that it's hard for them to get enough oxygen," said Vanse.  

In the last two years, Vanse said her clinic saw far fewer cases of RSV. Potentially due to more mask-wearing. 

"So the concern is that this year those kids who may have caught RSV in the last two years may not have the immunity, so there is definitely a setup that these could be much higher cases this year as kids are back to school," added Vanse.

Medical experts recommend that if your child is sick keep them at home and isolated from others. If the symptoms become worse make sure they get checked out by their doctor.