While influenza isn’t spiking yet, we are seeing an early respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season in Arizona this year. RSV causes a respiratory illness that mainly affects infants and young children, and it generally circulates during the winter. Symptoms are similar to other respiratory illness including cough, runny nose, and fever.

Arizona has seen more than twice the number of reported RSV cases this year compared to this same time last season.

There is no vaccine available for RSV. However, there is a preventive treatment that doctors can give throughout the season for those at higher risk of severe disease (premature infants, children younger than two years of age with congenital heart or chronic lung disease, and children with weakened immune systems). Other prevention methods for RSV include proper handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home while sick. It is also flu season, but it’s not too late to get your influenza vaccine. Find the closest location to get your flu shot. You can keep up to date with the latest influenza and RSV numbers in Arizona by checking our weekly reports.