FORT WORTH, Texas — Cook Children’s Medical Centers saw a sharp increase in patients visiting the emergency room due to respiratory-related illnesses this week.
According to data from the hospital system, on Tuesday alone, Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth saw 572 patients in the emergency room and seven of its Urgent Care Centers saw 842 patients. This week’s numbers are near-record highs.
Cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia) are overwhelming the hospital system. The influx of cases is forcing young patients to wait for a hospital bed.
From Nov. 10 to Nov. 16, 29 out of 113 patients tested positive for RSV at Cook Children’s Medical Center Prosper.
RSV typically impacts kids under the age of two the most. It can cause a build-up of mucus and congestion that makes it difficult for children to breathe.
Dr. Stephanie Felton, a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Cook Children’s, says the emergency department is currently seeing double the number of patients from the same period last month due to an early spike in RSV cases.
“It is definitely on the rise right now,” Felton said. “When we see those types of numbers, it is overwhelming for our staff. We can’t get to our patients as quickly as we want to and give them the care they’re also seeking as quickly.”
The hospital system is urging parents to be mindful about knowing when to take a child into the emergency room and when to schedule an appointment. Those without severe symptoms are encouraged to schedule an urgent care appointment instead of visiting the emergency room.
Felton said parents should be on the lookout for severe symptoms such as fevers that last for five days and respiratory distress. If a child stops breathing, turns blue, or becomes dehydrated, parents should seek emergency care for the child.
A new RSV vaccine is available for infants, pregnant women, and the older population.
Matthew Sanders’s eight-month-old son was admitted to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth after developing a severe case of RSV. On Thursday, the family remained in the hospital by the child’s side.
“We noticed it was a dry cough, then it became a bit more of a mucus cough. It took the toll,” Sanders said. “I’m stressed… just worried about his health, his breathing, being able to function, really. Just being able to live.”
Thursday, his son Willie began making progress.
RSV is treated by monitoring and treating symptoms, but there is no cure for the virus.