Fall illnesses can spread rapidly. This is especially true as the weather cools down and we spend more time indoors in close contact with others. Although there are many different fall illnesses that circulate that you should be aware of, RSV is a serious viral infection that can cause severe illness for some. Keep reading to learn more about risks associated with RSV including high-risk groups and who is eligible for the RSV vaccine.
If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, AFC Urgent Care North Bergen can help. Our clinic offers same-day illness symptom diagnosis and treatment for patients in North Bergen, NJ, and the surrounding communities. If you’re in need of same-day care, walk into AFC Urgent Care North Bergen today.
Common RSV Symptoms
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a viral infection that mainly impacts the respiratory system. This includes your lungs, airway, and sinuses. Although RSV may sound similar to other seasonal viral infections, such as colds, RSV can be a much more serious illness for some individuals. RSV symptoms typically last 1-2 weeks. During this time, you can spread your symptoms to others easily through direct contact, touching surfaces and leaving traces of RSV behind, or by coughing or sneezing. Symptoms of RSV may vary from person to person depending on their age and overall health.
Common RSV symptoms include:
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
High-Risk Groups for RSV
For young and healthy individuals, RSV poses a mild risk and can typically be fought off by the immune system. However, certain individuals are at a higher risk for developing severe symptoms from RSV. These at-risk groups include young children, pregnant women, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and anyone with underlying heart or lung conditions. If someone who is immunocompromised contracts RSV, they may experience severe symptoms such as trouble breathing and a high fever. These conditions can be life-threatening and it is important that if you are considered to be at a high risk for a severe case of RSV, that you take the necessary precautions to prevent contracting an RSV infection.
Who’s Eligible for the RSV Vaccine
If you’re concerned about the risk of RSV, it is important to note that there is an RSV vaccine. However, the RSV vaccine is not widely available or suggested for just anyone. RSV is unlikely to cause severe illness for most healthy individuals. However, the RSV vaccine is available for anyone who is at an increased risk of developing severe symptoms from RSV. The vaccine works in a similar way to the flu vaccine, where it prepares your body to fight off the RSV virus by exposing your immune system to a deactivated version of the virus. Although the vaccine does not completely guarantee that you will not contract RSV, it significantly reduces the risk of RSV causing severe or life-threatening symptoms.
Visit AFC North Bergen for Illness Symptom Diagnosis & Treatment in North Bergen, NJ
If you’re experiencing RSV symptoms or are in a high-risk group for developing severe illness from RSV, AFC Urgent Care North Bergen is here to support you. Our clinic offers same-day illness symptom diagnosis and treatment for patients in North Bergen, NJ, and any of the surrounding areas. If you think you may be sick with RSV, simply walk-in for same-day care. Our clinic works with most medical insurance plans and offers competitive rates. We never require that you schedule an appointment for prompt care, simply walk-in - we are open 7 days a week!
