When suffering from symptoms like fever, cough and nasal congestion, many assume they are fighting the flu. However, these could also be symptoms of a lesser-known virus: RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. RSV, which causes infection of the lungs and airways, is a leading cause of respiratory illness in young children and is one of the most common reasons for hospital visits among infants and children. This viral infection can lead to croup, bronchiolitis, lung failure, and pneumonia.
While most children recover from the illness within a week or two, respiratory syncytial virus infection can be serious in some cases, especially in premature infants and infants with underlying health problems. RSV can also become serious in older adults, adults with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weakened immune system.
common symptoms
RSV symptoms vary with age and range in severity from mild to severe. Seeing a doctor in the early stages of the disease is the key to preventing serious complications. It is important to note that while many children are infected with the virus, only a very small percentage of children develop serious symptoms or complications.
Parents should closely monitor their children for these symptoms of RSV:
Bluish discoloration of the skin or nails due to lack of oxygen
Fast or rapid breathing
Cough or wheeze
Fever or irritability
Refusal to feed or persistent vomiting
Labored breathing, high fever, thick nasal discharge, and worsening cough that produces yellow, green, or gray mucus are signs of worsening or serious illness. Call your doctor right away if symptoms get worse.
Diagnosis and treatment of RSV
When you visit your child’s doctor with any of these symptoms, he or she will evaluate your child and do a nasal discharge test or chest X-ray if needed. Mild infections go away on their own and usually last about a week or several weeks in some cases. Medications can sometimes be given to help open the airways; however, most of the time the only treatment required for mild cases is rest.
For parents of children diagnosed with an RSV infection, the following treatment is suggested:
Provide plenty of fluids. For babies, offer fluids in small amounts at more frequent intervals.
Use a nasal aspirator (or bulb syringe) to remove sticky nasal fluids in babies.
Treat the fever with a medicine that does not contain aspirin, such as acetaminophen. Aspirin should not be used in children with viral illnesses.
How to prevent the spread of RSV
RSV is highly contagious and can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air, sending virus-containing droplets into the air, where they can infect a person if these droplets come into contact with the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Infection can also result from indirect contact, such as touching a doorknob infected with the virus.
Researchers are working to develop a vaccine for RSV, but none is yet available. However, RSV can be prevented with common sense precautions, such as:
Dutifully cover your coughs and sneezes.
Wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby.
Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils
Use a disinfectant to clean hard surfaces that many people touch (like doorknobs, phones, remote controls, etc.).
Limit your baby’s contact with people who have fevers or colds.
don’t smoke Babies who are exposed to tobacco smoke have a higher risk of contracting RSV and potentially more severe symptoms.