Opinion: I’m an epidemiologist, and my daughter’s RSV case shook me | CNN

CEID Affiliate Faculty Dr. Syra Madad authored this opinion in CNN Opinions and concludes:

“…While most children will get RSV by age 2, getting sick is never ideal and for young children, or those at high risk for severe RSV disease. My experience with my daughter was difficult. On top of witnessing her suffering from illness for days, it impacted my work productivity and cost me a lot of sleep.

The good news is there are ways to help prevent RSV infections, and these same measures will also help reduce the chance of infection from other co-circulating respiratory viruses like influenza and Covid-19: wear a mask for those 2 and older, cover your coughs and sneezes, don’t share eating utensils with others, wash your hands often, avoid close contact with anyone who is sick, seek ventilated spaces and frequently clean surfaces and toys.

As for Covid-19, it’s impossible to know what impact the virus will have next, but with signs of increased flu activity ahead of the holiday season, coupled with the increasing burden of RSV, healthcare systems should be bracing for more impact to come. Let’s do our part and help reduce the spread of RSV, get vaccinated against seasonal flu and stay up-to-date with your Covid-19 vaccination.”

Read the full opinion here