GREENSBORO, N.C. — Just one month into the school year, the homeroom bell rings in cadence with coughs, sneezes and stuffy noses.
Pediatricians are gearing up for what they consider the 'triple whammy' -- COVID-19, flu and RSV.
The CDC's new guidelines acknowledge COVID is still circulating, but due to the lessened severity of symptoms and spread, people no longer need to social distance or isolate for five days. The rule of thumb now, in recovering from the virus, is to be fever-free for 24 hours before going out in public. Nonetheless, schools are already reporting cases of the virus this year and encouraging parents to keep their children home if sick.
COVID-19
Suresh Nagappan, MD, the medical director for the Children's Unit at Moses Cone Hospital, confirmed local ERs and pediatricians' offices are seeing COVID but not nearly the case load they had in 2021.
"Symptoms we're seeing right now are still runny noses and cough, some fever... As far as the guidelines, this is a good thing...and it has changed because when people got vaccinated, that gave immunity, and people (now) have had COVID in the past--also giving immunity," he said.
He explained those factors combined have helped tremendously in getting COVID under control.
FLU
The biggest unknown, he noted, is what flu season will hold. Flu season generally runs October through May, peaking in February. The 2023 to 2024 flu season was the worst, in measurable illnesses and deaths, since the 2017 to 2018 season. Sixteen children died of the flu.
"It's always hard to predict, but we're prepared for it," Nagappan said.
He advised families to get flu shots now. Those immunizations are available for anyone six months and older.
RSV
Nagappan admitted his ERs are also bracing for RSV, though physicians are hopeful a new virus-fighting tool will change the outlook this year.
"These past few years, we had so many children in the hospital with RSV..."
He emphasized the new RSV vaccine for babies will be a "game changer," and it is available now for babies eight months and younger. It is 90 percent effective in preventing hospitalization, researchers have touted.
There also is an RSV vaccine for pregnant women, who are naturally immuno-compromised, between 32 and 36 weeks gestation. This vaccine, Nagappan explained, provides protection to the unborn baby, as well.