WHITE OAK, Md. (DC News Now) — Doctors in the DMV are seeing more children and seniors coming down with respiratory illnesses like RSV which can be especially dangerous.
RSV can easily spread during this time of the year when families are gathering for the holidays.
Tanya Scott-Thomas lives in Bowie and has four children and is concerned about RSV.
“I am always concerned because these illnesses are communicable, and our kids are close together all the time so if one gets it the other one will get it and it will spread through the whole house and the family,” Thomas said.
Dr. Andy Catanzaro at White Oak Medical Center said RSV is most common from December until January and the illness spreads through droplets from an infected person when they cough or sneeze.
“Typically, it starts out as a cough and body aches and a runny nose and then progresses to difficulty breathing,” Catanzaro said.
RSV can cause serious illness or death in vulnerable people including very young infants and elderly over the age of 65.
Catanzaro urges everyone to wash their hands regularly and social distance. He said there is a vaccine available for seniors over 60.
If you have any symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.
