Hospitals across the United States have reported their beds are full as cases of respiratory viruses and diseases continue to increase among pediatric patients. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has increased by 69% throughout the past month, spiking from 4,667 to 7,917 people affected — a surge in the U.S. causing various children’s hospitals to be overwhelmed. 

Doctors prepare for what has been deemed as one of the most severe flu seasons, especially following years after little-to-no flu activity during the pandemic. While the Influenza virus is on the rise, two other viruses, Adenovirus and Rhinovirus, which cause the common cold, follow.

Doctors expect the heightening of the viral spread among children is a result of children returning back to school and to in-person activities. The Omicron variant, BA.5, that accounted for most infections throughout the summer is now giving way to a variant concoction — a mixture of different Omicron sub-variants, including BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which are even more transmissible and more effective at dodging immunity.

Surveillance data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a rise in RSV cases nationwide in recent weeks, with cases detected by PCR tests more than tripling over the past two months. The CDC’s surveillance program captures data from 75 counties representing about 9% of the total US population.