Local doctors seeing a number of viruses

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) - Flu season has arrived in New Orleans and it's keeping local doctors busy. But that's not the only virus going around these days.

Dr. Aaron Thompson is the Emergency Department's Medical Director at Children's Hospital. He says they're seeing a whole host of different viruses right now.

While he says it's typical to see people getting sick with the flu and RSV this time of year, the ER had it's busiest day of the season Monday as RSV started to hit hard. Anyone can get RSV, but Dr. Thompson says in adults and older children it's just like a cold. It can be much more dangerous for babies.

"There's Rhino Virus which is a cold virus, Parainfluenza which is similar to Flu but isn't helped by the Flu shot, isn't helped by any medications that would treat the Flu, there's the Flu itself, and the other big one we see is RSV," said Thompson.

Thompson says good hand washing is the best way to keep from getting sick. He says don't touch your face if you can avoid it, especially right before you eat. And, wash your hands with soap and water.

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