RSV cases on the rise in central NC, affecting young children
Wesley Zakovsky is typically a joyful, gregarious 4-year-old boy.
“He is a people person,” said Cassie Smith of her son. “[He’s] never met a stranger in his life.”
Earlier this month, Wesley was hit with respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]. It took a major toll on him.
“He got intubated within an hour of being in the [emergency room],” Smith said.
Wesley was on a ventilator in the intensive care unit for nine days at Duke Health due to low oxygen levels and pneumonia he contracted. In total, Wesley has spent 15 days in the hopsital.
“It’s been really difficult to see,” Smith said.
Wesley is getting better, but he is still in the hospital. He is one of hundreds of RSV cases in North Carolina, which data shows has risen rapidly in the past month.
Every hospital in central North Carolina has seen a major increase in the number of positive RSV cases in infants and toddlers, state data shows. It shows an increase in hospitalizations as well.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports RSV cases are up 36% from this week to last week.
As of Friday, there are 272 positive cases of RSV in North Carolina. It’s the most positive cases North Carolina has seen since the week of Dec. 17, 2022.
Jessica Dixon works as an infection prevention specialist at WakeMed Health and Hospitals. She said RSV is typically transmitted through droplets people cough or sneeze out.
“It’s ‘tis the season,” Dixon said. “RSV is a seasonal virus we see around this time.”
Dixon explained who RSV tends to impact the most.
“Anyone at any age can have RSV, but it tends to have the greatest negative impact on small children and infants,” Dixon said.
RSV can look like any other respiratory illness, cough and cold symptoms, but may then get a bit worse.
“Their chest almost looks like it’s pulling in when they are trying to breathe, wheezing,” Dixon said.
It was the case with Wesley.
“You could see like a crater in his neck struggling to breathe really hard, and his stomach getting bigger,” Smith said of her son.
Dixon recommended good hand washing hygiene. Also, parents are urged to keep kids home from school or day care if they are sick.
People are also asked to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Smith also recommended other parents stay vigilant and monitor their child’s symptoms.
“Advocate for your kid,” Smith said. “You know your kid best.”
Smith created a GoFundMe to help with Wesley's hospital expenses. As of Friday afternoon, she's raised $9,040 out of a $15,000 goal.
RSV at central NC hospitals
Duke Health is leading the way with the most positive cases as of last week.
- Duke Health and Hospitals has 101 positive RSV tests and nine hospitalizations
- WakeMed 65 positive RSV tests and five hospitalizations
- UNC Health: 50 positive RSV tests and four hospitalizations
