Respiratory Syncytial Virus
About RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes the lungs and respiratory tract infection is a major cause of
Respiratory disease in young children.
In adults, it can only produce symptoms of a cold, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild headache,
Cough, fever and a general feeling of being sick. But in premature infants and children with disorders of the lungs,
Heart or immune system, RSV infections lead to more serious illnesses.
RSV is very contagious and can spread through droplets spread the virus when someone coughs or sneezes. Also
can on surfaces (such as countertops or doorknobs) and live on hands and clothes, so it can be easily spread when a
Person touches something contaminated.
RSV can spread rapidly through schools and day care centers. Babies often get when older kids carry the virus home
of the school and give it to them. Almost all children are infected with RSV at least once by the time they are 2 years old.
RSV infections often occur in epidemics that last from late fall to early spring. Respiratory disease caused by RSV
- How bronchiolitis or pneumonia - usually lasts about a week, but in some cases may take several weeks.
Doctors typically diagnose RSV by taking a medical history and do a physical examination. Generally, in healthy children, it is not
necessary to distinguish RSV from a common cold. But if a child has other disorders, might want to take a doctor
identifies a specific diagnosis in this case is RSV in nasal secretions collected either with a cotton swab or
Suction through a bulb syringe.
Prevent RSV
Since RSV can be easily spread by touching infected people or surfaces, frequent hand washing is key in preventing its
Transmission. Try to wash your hands after any contact with someone who has cold symptoms. And keep your school-
Child with a cold away from younger siblings - particularly infants - until the symptoms pass.
To prevent serious RSV-related respiratory disease, may at-risk babies a monthly injection of a medication be given
consisting of RSV antibodies during peak RSV season (roughly November to April). Because its protection is short-lived,
it must be given in the following years until the child is no longer at high risk for severe RSV infection. Ask the doctor
if your child is considered high risk.
Treatment of RSV
Fortunately, most cases of RSV are mild and require no specific treatment from doctors. Antibiotics are not used because
RSV is a virus and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Medications can sometimes administered to remain open
Respiratory tract.
In an infant, however, a RSV infection can be serious and require hospitalization so that the baby can be
closely monitored. He or she may require fluids and possibly treatment for breathing problems.
At home, make a child with an RSV infection as comfortable as possible, enough time for rest and offer much
Liquids. The last part can be tricky, but because babies can not feel like drinking water. In this case, offer fluids in
small amounts at more frequent intervals than usual.
To help your child breathe easier, use a cool mist vaporizer during the winter months, the air is too moist - winter air
can dry out airways and make the mucus stickier. Avoid hot water and steam humidifiers, which can be dangerous and
Cause scalding. If you use a cool mist humidifier, clean it daily with household bleach to discourage mold.
If your child is uncomfortable and too young to brush his or her own nose, use a nasal aspirator (or bulb syringe) to
remove sticky nasal fluids.
Treat fever with a nonaspirin fever medications such as acetaminophen. Aspirin should not be used in children with viral
Diseases, such as those made use of Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening disease associated.
When to call the doctor
Call the doctor if your child has any of these symptoms:
high fever with ill appearance
thick nasal discharge
, Yellow, green, or gray mucus produced worsening cough or cough
Signs of dehydration
Difficulty in breathing
In infants, besides the symptoms already mentioned, call the doctor if your baby is unusually irritable or inactive, or
refuses to breastfeed or bottle feed.
Seek immediate medical attention if you think your child has trouble breathing or is breathing very rapidly,
lethargic, or if his or her lips or fingernails appear blue.