GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Typically, winter months give way to an increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). That's what Corewell Health Helen DeVos (HDCH) is currently seeing, with a "predictable" increase of patients admitted to the hospital for the virus.
Last year, Michigan saw a higher than normal volume of RSV patients admitted to hospitals. At this point, a doctor for HDCH is saying it's too early to tell how this year's surge will compare with last year.
However, she did say emergency room wait times may be a little longer, and patients may be treated in converted spaces due to the increase in volume.
"We just asked for grace and patience as we expect to see even higher volumes that our hospital is at or near capacity," said Andrea Hadley, division chief of acute care pediatrics at HDCH, "And we are prepared. Our teams are very practiced at this. We are experienced and have great plans to get us through this winter as we have in previous years."
That said, Hadley urged families to slow the spread of RSV and other viruses during holiday gatherings. Saying it comes back to basics, she reminded people to wash their hands, stay home if sick and get vaccines if eligible.
This year, an antibody vaccine for RSV was approved by the Food and Drug Administration earlier this summer, being called a "game changer." Unfortunately, the drug was in short supply all over the nation.
Hadley said pregnant women should get an RSV vaccine, and patients most at risk, children under a year of age with a high risk condition, should as well.
"There has been a shortage in ability to order high volume of doses of these medications," said Hadley, "At Corewell Health, we do have a very detailed plan with how we are going to distribute the doses that we have. We have reserved a specific number of doses for the highest risk patients, so that they have access to that very effective treatment. Then, we also have a number of doses that is available to help the otherwise healthy infants that are still at high risk because of their age."
She said talk to your child's pediatrician about the antibody treatment.
RELATED VIDEO: West Michigan doctors react to short supply of new RSV shot for infants
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