Respiratory illness season begins to ramp up now. Here's what's already starting to hit
Rising Risks in Respiratory Disease Season #
Low vaccination rates are threatening a stable start to the respiratory disease season. While the season might mirror or improve from last year, higher peak hospitalizations than pre-pandemic years are anticipated. Currently, Covid-19 levels in the US have decreased to near the lowest they have been since the pandemic’s onset. However, emergency department visits for flu and RSV are starting to rise.
Historically, an increase in cases is often seen about a week after Thanksgiving, and the potential for new Covid-19 variants plays into forecasts. “Vaccination is expected to play a key role in preventing hospitalizations for flu, Covid-19, and RSV.” Low vaccination rates persist, with fewer than 1 in 5 adults and only about 1 in 12 children having received the updated Covid-19 shot this season. Approximately 60% of adults do not plan to get the updated vaccine.
Flu vaccinations are similarly low, with around 37% of adults and 33% of children having been vaccinated. The rate among children has dipped significantly compared to the past six years. “While vaccines do not always guarantee that a child will avoid illness, they generally provide enough immune support to ensure that the illness is less severe.” Flu statistics show that most pediatric deaths occur in those unvaccinated.
Children face increased risks from respiratory illnesses due to smaller airways and the need to breathe through their noses. RSV is generally mild for adults but riskier for infants and seniors. Hospitalization rates for children due to RSV have more than doubled in a month, hitting 2.4 per 100,000 children, with infants seeing an even sharper rise.
Walking pneumonia, caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is also spreading rapidly among young children, adding strain to hospitals. Cases rose globally in 2023 after decreased spread during the pandemic. This has increased hospital visits since August, particularly among children aged 2 to 4.
Surges in respiratory diseases can exacerbate hospital system strains and compound supply chain challenges. Pediatric pneumonia cases are spiking in places like central Virginia. “Children’s hospitals have learned from years past to anticipate this surge and have the specialists needed, particularly for those younger children who are more severely impacted.”
Access to care remains crucial as hospitals navigate these increased demands, aiming to provide rapid and specialized treatment where needed.