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Health officials watching RSV as it spreads across Michigan

Health experts agree that the unseasonably early surges of RSV cases, especially among children, are a consequence of lifting COVID-19 precautions, which served to protect the public from a variety of viruses.
AP
Health experts agree that the unseasonably early surges of RSV cases, especially among children, are a consequence of lifting COVID-19 precautions, which served to protect the public from a variety of viruses.

Health officials in Michigan are in ‘wait and see’ mode after the first wave of

winter holiday travel. They say they don’t yet know how hard the state will be hit this

winter by COVID…the flu… and …most recently the RSV virus.

Dr. Dan Wilkerson is McLaren Central Michigan’s Emergency Department’s Medical Director. He says that we could be dealing with just a spike that’s going to last for a month or two.

“This could be something that we’ll be handling for pretty much the entire season, which is pretty much fall to spring. Once the spring comes, this will be just a surge and hopefully will taper off,” Wilkerson said.

Dr. Wilkerson also says symptoms also mimic other seasonal viruses making it hard to diagnose. He says symptoms to look out for may include labored breathing, fever, severe cough, high pitched exhaling, bluish skin due to lack of oxygen, and inability to lay down. He also suggests if these symptoms occur, do not wait to see a doctor. If the symptoms are in small children, older adults or those who are immune compromised, taking them to the ER would be recommended.

Tina Sawyer is a reporter and the local host of WCMU's Morning Edition. You can hear her each weekday from 5am - 9am.