A surge of RSV infections is straining capacity at N.H. hospitals

A surge in instances of RSV, a respiratory an infection that may be particularly critical in infants, is straining hospital capability in New Hampshire.

No pediatric ICU beds have been out there in New Hampshire this week, and surrounding states are seeing comparable surges.

“The sheer numbers of youngsters coming in have been considerably overwhelming,” Dr. Neil Meehan, the chief doctor government at Exeter Hospital, mentioned throughout a digital panel dialogue Wednesday.

A chilly-like an infection, respiratory syncytial virus is delicate for most individuals, however typically causes extra extreme respiratory sickness in infants and really younger youngsters.

Youngsters sometimes catch it by age 2, however many children weren’t uncovered to widespread viruses over the previous two years attributable to COVID-related mitigation measures. Specialists say that’s one purpose RSV is surging across the nation proper now.

With beds in brief provide throughout New England, Meehan mentioned neighborhood hospitals like his are having to deal with youngsters they might usually ship elsewhere for extra complicated care. Exeter Hospital is stocking up on provides for supplemental oxygen and extra superior respiratory help, and is speaking about treating children on grownup flooring if house runs out.

Within the North Nation, Littleton Regional Healthcare is seeing the same development.

“We have seen a dramatic enhance in our pediatric sufferers who’re presenting to both our pressing care or emergency division,” mentioned Vice President of Affected person Care and Chief Nursing Officer Koren Superchi. “We have had extra pediatric admissions within the final month than we have had within the final yr.”

RSV can unfold by way of respiratory droplets, direct contact or touching a floor with the virus on it. Most youngsters will expertise delicate cold-like signs that go away in every week or two.

Some infants can develop extra critical issues, together with pneumonia or bronchiolitis, an irritation of airways within the lungs. Youngsters with weakened immune programs and older adults are additionally at larger threat.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention suggest that folks with very younger or weak youngsters take primary precautions like hand-washing, sanitizing surfaces, protecting coughs and preserving them away from adults or different youngsters who’re sick. Mother and father ought to search medical consideration if an toddler is struggling to breathe.

The RSV surge comes on prime of staffing shortages, COVID-19 and what’s anticipated to be the worst flu season in a number of years. Meehan and Superchi mentioned these elements — together with sufferers ready for psychiatric beds and problem discharging sufferers to long-term care services, that are additionally understaffed — have strained hospital capability.

Dr. Aalok Khole, an infectious illness physician at Cheshire Medical Heart in Keene, mentioned COVID ranges are comparatively low proper now, however may rise within the coming weeks as folks journey and collect for the vacations. He mentioned COVID boosters, flu photographs and masking are necessary preventive measures to maintain hospitals from being overwhelmed with respiratory illness this winter.

“It’s nonetheless round and the pandemic’s not likely over,” he mentioned. “Now throw one other two viruses into the combination and you’ve got an even bigger downside at hand.”