Amy Schumer, Chris Fischer, and their son.
Amy Schumer’s sonGeneis on the mend after a bout with respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known asRSV.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, the comedian and actress, 41, revealed that her son with husbandChris Fischerwas hospitalized for RSV as she was juggling the demanding schedule of hostingSaturday Night Livethis week.
“This was the hardest week of my life,” Schumer wrote alongside a series of behind-the-scenes photographs on theSNLset. “I missed Thursday rehearsals whenmy son was rushed to the ER and admitted for RSV. Shout out to all the parents going through this right now.”
Thankfully, Schumer added that Gene, 3, is now “home and better.”
Schumer’s family is one of many dealing with the illness, asRespiratory Syncytial Virus(RSV) cases are surging across the United States.
The virus, which causes mild, cold-like symptoms among adults and older children, can result in severe complications inbabies younger than 12 monthsas it spreads to the lower respiratory tract, causing pneumonia (infection of the lung) and bronchiolitis (inflammation of the lung).
Spread through coughing and sneezing, RSV usually peaks inlate winter, but it’s striking earlier this year and causing a shortage of pediatric hospital beds.
“Because of pandemic precautions like masking and social distancing, kids who are infants, or 2 or 3 years old, probably haven’t been exposed to RSV, like their older brothers and sisters were during previous years. So there’s an “immunity gap” and more children now are getting more sick from this germ,“Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatrician specializing in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Child Health Advocacy and amember of PEOPLE’s Health Squadpreviously told PEOPLE.
The CDC advises parents and doctors to keep an eye out for cases of RSV, particularly in young children, adults over age 65 or those with chronic illnesses.
RSV will cause mild, cold-like symptoms, and parents should look for runny nose, a decrease in appetite and a worsening cough, according to the CDC. Infants under 6 months old will almost always show symptoms or irritability, decreased activity and appetite and apnea, or pauses in breathing. Fever may or may not be present.
Most importantly, said Murray: “If you or your child is sick, you need to stay home.”
source: people.com
