Winter is the traditional time for illnesses like RSV, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, the flu and other lower respiratory illnesses, but this year RSV season has made an early arrival.
“RSV and influenza are the two big illnesses that we’re seeing right now,” said pediatrician Dr. James Antoon, who specializes in respiratory illness at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. “RSV has been surging for a couple of weeks, which is unseasonably early, and the flu has been picking up in the community.”
This My Southern Health article has advice on how to prevent RSV and what to do if your child is sick. When in doubt, Antoon said, “call or go to your pediatrician if you’re worried.”
Convenient Care
Whether it's RSV, flu or another respiratory illness, Vanderbilt Health offers many services to help you feel better. Here are four types of convenient care:
Vanderbilt Children’s After-Hours Clinics offer the convenience of a walk-in clinic with care provided by a board-certified pediatrician. No appointment is necessary, but we recommend calling your pediatrician first. Search here to find locations.
For urgent medical care for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that need to be treated immediately, Vanderbilt Health Walk-in Clinics offer dozens of locations with convenient hours throughout Middle Tennessee. Find a location and save your spot at this link.
Vanderbilt Health Clinic at Walgreens also treats minor illness or injuries at 15 convenient locations. Learn more and save your spot at this link.
With Vanderbilt Health OnCall, a Vanderbilt provider comes to you within two hours of your request for treatment of common illnesses and injuries. Learn more about the service—which serves Nashville-Davidson County, and the cities of Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville and Nolensville—at this link.