If your children are suffering from coughing, sneezing, or a runny nose, they are far from alone as RSV, flu, and COVID seem to be converging at the same time.
"So, obviously first of all I will always start by saying wash the hands," said Abhishek Shakya of the Tulsa Health Department.
It's a simple piece of advice you might want to take to heart as Tulsa deals with a tsunami of RSV and flu.
"I’ve been a pediatrician for 25 years and we’ve never seen a combination of respiratory viruses hitting all at once causing volume like this. The demand is far outpacing what we can provide as far as care, and it’s not just us, it’s every urgent care, every pediatrician’s office, every emergency room in town completely overwhelmed," said Dr. Ethan Warlick.
According to the Tulsa County Health Department, there have been 147 flu-associated hospitalizations and 1 flu death. There are no numbers on RSV. How can you tell them apart?
"RSV, flu, and even COVID are going to all look like colds for the first few days and it's difficult to distinguish at home," said Dr. Warlick.
Difficulty breathing and dehydration are two red flags to watch out for.
As for treatment?
"Making sure they don’t need oxygen, that they don’t need additional IV fluids, and then supporting them, so keeping their airway cleaned out, keeping their nose sucked out, running a humidifier at home, pushing the fluids on these kids and then symptomatic control, Tylenol, Motrin for fever, that kind of stuff," said Dr. Warlick.
And to help curb the spread, stay at home if you're sick.
"Stay away from work, stay away from school, try to kind of contain that to yourself as much as possible," said Shakya.