It’s cold and flu season – which means it’s also RSV season.

While respiratory syncytial virus can cause symptoms similar to those of the common cold, it poses a greater risk for babies and older adults.

“We’ve seen an increase in RSV-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations as of late December,” says Brittany Gibson, a family nurse practitioner at Tidelands Health Pediatric and Adult Medicine. 

Those who have been hospitalized at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital and Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital have been 40 or older.

Here’s what to know about the virus.

Although there isn’t an annual vaccine for RSV like there is for the flu, there are a few options for those most at risk.

• All adults over 75, and adults over 50 with certain comorbidities, are eligible for a vaccine. It’s effective for two years.
• Pregnant women who are between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation are eligible for a maternal vaccine, which will pass antibodies to the baby, protecting them for about six months after birth.
• Babies up to eight months old whose mother did not take the maternal RSV vaccine are recommended to have a monoclonal antibody injection before their first RSV season, which works like a vaccine to prevent severe illness.

For everyone else who’s not eligible for a vaccine, it’s back to the basics: Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face and make sure you’re getting enough rest.

This is especially important if you’re around newborns and infants, as RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies under age 1, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You can help protect their tiny immune systems by not visiting new parents and their baby if you’re exhibiting any signs of illness, including a mild sniffle. You should also wash your hands with soap and water before holding the baby and avoid kissing the baby, including on the back of his or her head, hands or feet.

The symptoms of RSV are similar to those of the common cold. Often, the only way to tell the difference is to get tested at a doctor’s office. Symptoms can include:

• Runny nose, congestion or sneezing
• Fever
• Coughing
• Increased respiratory rate

Consult with your doctor or go to the emergency room if you experience any of these symptoms, which could indicate severe illness:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent wheezing
• Chest pain

Infants will have similar symptoms, including irritability and sluggishness. Call your baby’s health care provider right away if your baby:

• Coughs up yellow, green or gray mucus, or has a persistent cough
• Has a temperature greater than 100.4 F if younger than three months
• Has a fever of 104 F or higher for a child of any age
• Doesn’t want to eat or looks dehydrated
• Has trouble breathing or pauses between breaths, or the mouth and fingernails look blue or gray

It’s most common to catch RSV during the winter months, and you’re usually contagious for up to eight days, Gibson says. There’s no treatment for RSV, but there are things you can do to manage your symptoms:

• Stay hydrated: Dehydration is always a concern, and drinking enough water can also help alleviate congestion.
• Reduce fever: Over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol and ibuprofen can help reduce fevers and address any body aches as a result.
• Rest: Stay home from your regular activities and get plenty of sleep.