Holy Cross Hospital – Davis is preparing for an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases as the fall season approaches. The hospital’s respiratory therapists have already reported seeing a few RSV cases in recent weeks, which they note is unusual for this time of year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that infants under 8 months old, adults over 60—particularly those with underlying health conditions—and pregnant women receive the RSV vaccine. “Now is a good time to get an RSV vaccination,” said Bill Carter, Director of Pulmonary Medicine at Holy Cross Hospital – Davis. “By getting vaccinated now, it allows the antibodies to build up in your system – before the RSV season ramps up.”
To support children affected by RSV, Holy Cross Hospital – Davis offers a clinic designed to manage symptoms and potentially prevent hospitalization. The clinic focuses on helping children with heavy secretions commonly associated with RSV by clearing their nasal passages and throat, which can ease breathing difficulties. It operates around the clock at both the Roy Emergency Department and the main hospital campus in Layton. Access requires a physician referral.
Parents are advised to monitor their children for symptoms such as significant nasal secretions, decreased interest in eating or breastfeeding, and pale coloring due to lower oxygen levels.
