Doctors warn public to watch out for flu, RSV viruses with cooler months ahead

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Dr. Dharshana Krishna is a pediatric emergency medicine physician with UMC Children’s Hospital.

She says just last year there were roughly 910 thousand hospitalizations for influenza and RSV across the nation.

If you think you may have the flu or RSV, Dr. Krishna says there are two clear signs.

“Just because of how these viruses work, kids stop eating and drinking or staying hydrated, so those are the key things to look out for,” Dr. Krishna said.

Millions deal with the flu and RSV every year, with infants, young children, older adults and people with underlying health conditions being most vulnerable.

Dr. Krishna says although these illnesses are common, they should be taken seriously.

“If your child is breathing too hard, too fast, please bring them to the emergency room,” Dr. Krishna said. “If you’re seeing something like retractions where the skin in between the ribs are being pulled inward, that is serious and they need to go to the emergency room.”

If you or a loved one are experiencing any symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever, or cough, Dr. Krishna says UMC is always ready to help.

“We usually improve physician and nursing staffing in the emergency department and the pediatric floor to help with the surge as well,” Dr. Krishna said. “Our pediatric ICU team is also staffed accordingly and usually we increase staffing right about when the flu season starts.”

Dr. Krishna says the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics and UMC encourage vaccination against these viruses.

She believes this is one of the best ways to prevent getting sick and keep your body healthy.

“Talk to your provider, see if this is a right choice for you and your family, to help prevent and keep you and your family and everyone else who is at risk safe as well.”