Webinar: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in L.A. County
Health officials are ringing the alarm over the “tripledemic” of COVID-19, Influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and are urging everyone to take precautionary steps to slow the spread. CDC surveillance has shown an increase in RSV detections and RSV-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in multiple U.S. regions, with some regions nearing seasonal peak levels.
The California Department of Public Health says RSV activity remains elevated throughout the state. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is seeing a spike of respiratory specimens testing positive for RSV compared to previous years.
What is RSV?
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be:
- Irritability
- Decreased activity
- Breathing difficulties
In this webinar — hosted by LA Best Babies Network on December 13, 2022, for staff in our network of home visiting organizations and Welcome Baby hospitals — Dr. Paul A. Krogstad, a pediatrics Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, discusses:
- Differential diagnosis of RSV and other viral infections
- Outpatient therapies provided to RSV patients
- Effective prevention methods
- Strategies for supporting families and young children/infants with RSV
- The role vaccines play in RSV prevention and treatment
About the presenter:
Paul A. Krogstad, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, is a Professor with a joint appointment in the Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular and Pharmacology at UCLA. His research has largely focused on molecular virology and the pathogenesis of viral diseases. His studies include evaluation of new treatments for HIV infected children and adolescents, and the discovery of antiviral agents for enterovirus infections. In addition, he has collaborated with others in the study of Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis).
Watch the webinar recording here, and don’t miss the links to related resources below:
Resources
- Webinar presentation slides
- RSV: What Parents Need to Know (LA County Department of Public Health)
- RSV: Symptoms and Care (CDC)
- RSV Prevention for Older Adults (LA County Department of Public Health)
- How to Reduce the Risk of RSV (LA County Department of Public Health)
- CDC: When and How to Wash Your Hands (Additional languages available)
- CDC: RSV Prevention infographic (English & Spanish)
- California Department of Public Health RSV information page
- FDA expected to decide on Pfizer RSV vaccine for older adults by May 2023 (CNBC, 12/07/2022)