County asks public to take extra precautions as respiratory illnesses rise

The San Bernardino County Health Officer is urging the public to take precautions as hospitalizations, and daily emergency room visits for pediatric respiratory illnesses are rising.

“San Bernardino County is seeing high rates of respiratory illness severely impacting capacity in our pediatric hospitals with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) being a contributing factor,” said County Health Officer Dr. Michael Sequeira. “Respiratory illnesses can severely affect young infants and children, and we are encouraging residents to take precautions.”

Respiratory syncytial virus usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.

Here are some things you can do to help stop the spread of RSV:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before and after eating and using the bathroom.
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.
• Do not go to school or work when you are symptomatic.
• Mask when indoors or in large group settings.

RSV infections occur primarily during the fall and winter cold and flu season, causing bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year of age and placing infants, young children, and older adults, with chronic medical conditions, at risk for more severe disease.