As with many months, there are some National Awarenesses for October.

Guthrie County Health Services Director Jotham Arber says that one of those awarenesses is aimed at Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that there is a shot now that individuals can get.

“We do have a vaccination, and the vaccination is pretty effective. We have seen the rates of RSV drop dramatically over the last few years as that vaccine has been introduced into those populations. And then we’ve also seen the number of hospitalizations decline in folks that have that RSV vaccination.”

Arber mentions that RSV infects the lungs, nose and throat of those that catch it, and mainly affects the young and elderly. He adds that RSV vaccinations are available in Guthrie County through doctor recommendations.