HEALTH

RSV cases are now starting to overwhelm Utah hospitals

Nov 15, 2022, 6:28 PM | Updated: Nov 16, 2022, 9:53 am

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah hospitals are starting to be overwhelmed with RSV cases and it’s a trend that could last all winter if we don’t change our behaviors.

Primary Children’s Hospital has been running on the brink of full capacity.

That struggle to breathe coming from down in the belly of 5-month-old Carter, is what really got Courtney Milner’s attention.

“Even though his cough wasn’t bad, it was the retractions that got me really paying attention,” Milner said.

It was difficult for five-month-old Carter Milner to breathe as he fought off RSV. (Courtney Milner) Doctor Andrew Pavia, director of Epidemiology at Primary Children’s Hospital said flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, and hand washing can all lighten the load at hospitals. (KSL TV) It was difficult for five-month-old Carter Milner to breathe as he fought off RSV. (Courtney Milner)

That was after being sick for just a couple of days. Milner said Carter’s big sisters were the first to get sick. But then it seemed to spread to him.

“He went downhill so fast that, I don’t know, it was really scary because he was turning all sorts of different colors like over and over again,” Milner added.

Because hospitals are so full she said they first tried Riverton Hospital before being redirected to Utah Valley Hospital, where she said it was easy to see that a lot of kids had it.

“I saw kids intubated with RSV and they’re healthy kids,” she said. “They’re not like him, NICU babies.”

Doctors said this is why we all need to do our part this winter.

“If the numbers increase over the next two weeks, which we expect they will, then we really are going to be in a serious situation in terms of hospital capacity,” said Dr. Andrew Pavia, director of Epidemiology at Primary Children’s Hospital.

He said flu shots, COVID-19 boosters and hand-washing can all lighten the load.

“It’s a good time to tell people, ‘No, you can’t come over and visit the baby no matter how cute my 3-month-old is,’ because you want to protect your child,” Pavia explained.

The key is looking out for others, even if your own family might be less-vulnerable.

Milner said, “If the hospitals are already full, I’m worried to see what would happen if he gets sick again.”

Pavia said the idea very simply is to do your best to not get sick.

He said the number of sick is right along with some of the worst years ever and it continues to go up.

What signs doctors say to look for as RSV cases spike

Dr. Per Gesteland at University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital said RSV looks like a cold at first, with symptoms like coughing and fewer wet diapers.

He said if your child starts breathing fast, and if their lips or tongue starts turning blue, then you need to take your child to the hospital immediately.

KSL 5 TV Live

Health

Alison Smart and her daughter Ruby, Alison Smart is going up against a major drug company, trying t...

Daniel Woodruff

Utah mom enlists Mark Cuban in fight for daughter’s access to insulin

A Utah mom is going up against a major drug company, trying to keep a type of insulin on the market that she says is essential for her family.

14 hours ago

Intermountain Health's Murray made the list of Fortune Magazine's Top 50 heart hospitals....

Cary Schwanitz

Utah has two of Fortune Magazine’s Top 50 Heart Hospitals

Two Utah hospitals made Fortune Magazine’s top 50 cardiovascular hospitals.

14 hours ago

Man sneezing because of seasonal allergies...

Katia Hetter, CNN

Are allergies making you feel sick? Here’s how to find out

Sniffling a bit more than usual? Welcome to spring allergy season in the Northern Hemisphere. Even if you don’t think you have allergies, it’s worth paying attention to those sniffles.

18 hours ago

Ashley Stewart meets Gino and Melody Colucci, the husband and daughter of the woman, who donated he...

Emma Benson

Utah mom, transplant recipient meets family of organ donor

When someone donates an organ, they give another person the gift of life. And many times, recipients and donors never get to meet each other, or thank their families. Well, a Utah mom was able to meet the family of her donor for the first time. Emma Benson caught up with them after their emotional reunion.

5 days ago

FILE PHOTO (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)...

Anne D'Innocenzio AP Retail Writer

More than 440,000 Starbucks-branded mugs recalled due to burn, laceration risk

More than 440,000 Starbucks-branded mugs made by Nestle and sold during the winter holidays are being recalled after reports of some users receiving burns or lacerations.

6 days ago

Douglas Emhoff poses with Utah delegates...

Lindsay Aerts

Second Gentleman visits Utah touting federal money to help Salt Lake City’s aging water pipes

The second gentleman of the United States, Doug Emhoff, was in Utah today to help announce a program to replace aging pipes in Salt Lake City.

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

RSV cases are now starting to overwhelm Utah hospitals