McHenry County child dies from RSV; first pediatric death from the respiratory virus this season

A child from McHenry County has died from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

The McHenry County Department of Health announced late Thursday that a pediatric patient was the first this season to die from the virus. The department did not provide an age or hometown for the child.

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RSV is a common, highly contagious virus that usually causes mild symptoms like a cold but in some cases leads to severe respiratory illness, especially in infants, young children and older adults.

RSV has been increasing in the county over the last four weeks and is rising among children age 4 and younger, the health department reported. Emergency department and inpatient visits for those 65 and older “remain low,” and officials attributed that to the effectiveness of the RSV vaccine. The current transmission level of the virus is moderate, indicating increased respiratory illness activity, but not at the peak for the season, according to the release.

RSV generally causes symptoms such as congestion, a runny nose, irritability, decreased appetite and fever. It can cause more severe respiratory virus symptoms in infants.

Severe symptoms in babies can include short, shallow and abnormally fast breathing; a wheezing cough; nasal flaring; difficulty feeding due to breathing difficulties; unusual tiredness; a blue tint to the lips or fingernails; and fever, the health department said. Parents and caregivers should seek medical care immediately if they notice these severe symptoms, according to the health department.

RSV spreads from droplets from coughs, sneezes or contaminated surfaces. People should cover their coughs and sneezes, wash hands regularly and clean frequently touched surfaces. People should avoid close contact with infants, who may get RSV from family members or siblings exposed to the virus at day care or school, when sick.

For those younger than 1, the health department said an antibody, Beyfortus (nirsevimab), is available and is given to babies born during or entering their first RSV season. People can get it alongside routine childhood vaccinations, according to the health department. More details are available at beyfortus.com.

The RSV vaccine Abrysvo is recommended for pregnant women during weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy, according to the health department. Those 75 and older and those 60 to 74 with increased risk for RSV also should get vaccinated, according to the health department.

The health department said more vaccine details are available at abrysvo.com. The McHenry County health department will monitor RSV trends throughout the season but encouraged all eligible residents to get vaccinated and take preventive measures.