By CHAT News Today

RSV increase prompts AHS warning

Jan 20, 2017 | 9:46 AM

EDMONTON — Alberta Health Services is reminding the province to be aware and take precautions after an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been reported.

Dr. Gerry Predy, Senior Medical Officer of Health with AHS, says AHS has already seen more RSV outbreaks and positive lab cases at this point in the season, compared to the entirety of last season.

As of January 17, 14 cases of RSV have been reported throughout the province during the season. Nine cases were reported throughout the 2015/16 season.

RSV usually causes the same symptoms as a bad cold, including a cough, stuffy or runny nose, mild sore throat, earache and fever. However, in some people, especially infants and young children, RSV may lead to more severe respiratory complications requiring hospital care, such as pneumonia.

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RSV is not preventable by vaccine.

Predy reminds Albertans to take precautions to avoid spreading the disease. This includes not visiting infants, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems when suffering from illness, and washing your hands regularly.

AHS says as of Jan. 14, more than 2,000 positive lab specimens have been confirmed for RSV, as compared to approximately 1,300 in the full 2015/16 season. AHS notes some people may be tested multiple times, so positive lab specimens should not be misunderstood as representing individual patients.