Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages and is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. RSV infections can lead to serious illnesses in premature babies and children with diseases that affect the lungs, heart, or immune system.

RSV is highly contagious, and can be spread through droplets containing the virus when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also live on surfaces such as countertops or doorknobs, and on hands and clothing. RSV can be easily spread when a person touches an object or surface contaminated with the virus. The infection can spread rapidly through schools and child care centers. Infants often get it when older kids carry the virus home from school and pass it to them.

RSV infections often occur in epidemics that last from late fall through early spring. Respiratory illness caused by RSV such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia usually lasts about a week, but some cases may last several weeks.

Prevention

• Frequent hand washing.
• Keep children with cold symptoms away from siblings, particularly infants until the symptoms pass.
• At-risk children can be given a monthly injection of a medication consisting of RSV antibodies during peak RSV season (roughly November to April). Check with your child's doctor to determine if your child is considered at-risk.

Treatment

Fortunately, most cases of RSV are mild and require no specific treatment from doctors. Antibiotics aren't used because RSV is a virus and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria.

• Use a cool-mist vaporizer during the winter months to keep the air moist to help your child breath easier.
• Provide plenty of fluids.
• If your child is uncomfortable and too young to blow his or her own nose, use a nasal aspirator (or bulb syringe) to remove sticky nasal fluids.
• Treat fever using a nonaspirin fever medicine like acetaminophen.

Call the doctor if your child has any of these symptoms:

• high fever with ill appearance
• thick nasal discharge that is yellow, green, or gray
• worsening cough or cough that produces yellow, green, or gray mucus
• if you think your child might be dehydrated
• if your baby is unusually irritable, inactive, or refuses to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

Seek immediate medical help if you feel your child is having difficulty breathing or is breathing very rapidly, is lethargic, or if his or her lips or fingernails appear blue.

Resource:
Synagis
www.synagis.com

Previous Page