While spring has officially begun, concerns about respiratory viruses are lingering longer than usual, with cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cropping up later than expected and a new COVID-19 variant spreading across much of the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent update that RSV had started later than expected throughout most of the U.S., with the agency noting this unusual timing means higher levels of RSV activity may continue into April in many regions. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for RSV are highest among infants and children less than 4 years old.
What the Left Is Saying
Public health advocates and medical professionals are emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance as respiratory virus season extends beyond typical timelines. The American Academy of Family Physicians and infectious disease experts are urging parents to take advantage of extended immunization windows.
Sarah Nosal, a physician and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, emphasized that RSV remains highly contagious throughout the duration of illness, making spread in daycare settings particularly concerning. She advised that anyone feeling unwell should still test themselves for respiratory viruses rather than dismissing symptoms as allergies.
William Schaffner, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, lamented that budget cuts to the CDC have hampered public health tracking capabilities. A study published this year found that among nearly 40 CDC databases no longer being updated, 87 percent were vaccine-related, and four out of five of the remaining stagnant databases pertained to respiratory diseases.
What the Right Is Saying
Some conservative voices have expressed concern about the extension of RSV season recommendations and the ongoing expansion of vaccine recommendations. Critics argue that health agencies have been too quick to extend immunization windows and update variant guidance, potentially creating confusion for families.
Conservative commentators have also questioned whether the CDC's extended recommendations reflect genuine public health needs or institutional overreach. Some have raised concerns about the frequency of COVID-19 vaccine updates and whether annual updates are necessary.
The Department of Government Efficiency's CDC layoffs have been defended by supporters as necessary modernization, with arguments that streamlining federal health agencies could reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency.
What the Numbers Show
The CDC reports that RSV activity remains elevated in many regions, with emergency department visits and hospitalizations highest among infants and children under 4 years old. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in young infants.
The so-called "cicada" COVID-19 variant has now been detected in 25 states. According to the CDC, COVID-19 activity overall remains low nationally. The variant has more mutations in the spike protein, making it more genetically distant from previous strains, though officials note it does not appear to cause more severe disease.
The flu season featured an unusual pattern with two spikes — an early influenza A wave followed by a late influenza B wave that persisted into recent weeks. The strain that circulated later in the season was dubbed a "super flu" in media coverage, though physicians emphasized it was another strain of influenza that presented with somewhat more severe symptoms.
Due to the late RSV season, many state and local health departments have extended their RSV seasons and the immunization window for children through at least the end of April.
The Bottom Line
The unusual timing of respiratory virus season this year — with RSV extending into April and a new COVID-19 variant spreading — has created atypical public health circumstances. Health officials advise that parents consider immunization options for infants and young children despite being past the typical respiratory viral season, given ongoing hospitalization risks.
Medical experts recommend that individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms get tested rather than assuming their illness is allergies, particularly as spring pollen season begins and could compound vulnerability to viral infections. Planning for fall vaccination will begin in the coming months, with physicians scheduling appointments for chronically ill patients as the next respiratory season approaches.