RSV: Symptoms and prevention

RSV:
 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in young babies, especially to those in certain high-risk groups.

Children or babies with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Chronic Lung Disease and Severe Asthma are at high risk for RSV.

RSV is the most common germ that causes lung and airway infections in infants and young children.

Most infants have had this infection by age 2. Outbreaks of RSV infections most often begin in the fall and run into the spring.
The infection can occur in people of all ages. The virus spreads through tiny droplets that go into the air when a sick person blows their nose, coughs, or sneezes.
You can catch RSV if:

• A person with RSV sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you
• You touch, kiss, or shake hands with someone who is infected by the virus
• You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contamined by the virus, such as a toy or doorknob.

RSV often spreads very rapidly in crowded households and day care centers. The virus can live for a half an hour or more on hands. The virus can also live for up to 5 hours on countertops and for several hours on used tissues.
The following increase the risk for RSV:

• Attending day care
• Being near tobacco smoke
• Having school-aged brothers or sisters
• Living in crowded conditions

Symptoms vary and differ with age. They usually appear 4 - 6 days after coming in contact with the virus.
Older children usually have only mild, cold-like symptoms, such as cough, stuffy nose, or low-grade fever.
Infants under age 1 may have more severe symptoms and often have the most trouble breathing

In general, RSV symptoms include:

• Bluish skin color due to a lack of oxygen (cyanosis)
• Breathing difficulty or labored breathing
• Cough
• Croupy cough (often described as a "seal bark" cough)
• Fever
• Nasal flaring
• Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• Shortness of breath
• Stuffy nose
• Wheezing

Many hospitals and clinics can rapidly test for RSV using a sample of fluid taken from the nose with a cotton swab. They can also suction the nose to get mucus from deaper in.

Antibiotics do not treat RSV.
Mild infections go away without treatment.
Infants and children with a severe RSV infection may be admitted to the hospital .
Treatment will include:

• Oxygen
• Moist (humidified) air
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)

A breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed.

Rarely, RSV infection can cause death in infants. However, this is unlikely if the child is seen by a health care provider in the early stages of the disease .
More severe RSV disease may occur in the following infants:

• Premature infants
• Infants with chronic lung disease
• Infants whose immune system does not work well
• Infants with certain forms of heart disease

In young children, RSV can cause:

• Bronchiolitis
• Croup
• Ear infections
• Lung failure
• Pneumonia

Children who have had RSV bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma.

Call your health care provider if breathing difficulties or other symptoms of this disorder appear. Any breathing difficulties in an infant are an emergency. Seek medical attention right away.

A simple way to help prevent RSV infection is to wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby. It is important to make certain that other people, especially caregivers, take steps to avoid giving RSV to your baby.
The following simple steps can help protect your baby from getting sick:

• Insist that others wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching your baby.
• Have others avoid contact with the baby if they have a cold or fever. If necessary, have them wear a mask.
• Be aware that kissing the baby can spread RSV infection.
• Try to keep young children away from your baby. RSV is very common among young children and easily spreads from child to child.
• Do not smoke inside your house, car, or anywhere near your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of RSV illness.

Parents of high-risk young infants should avoid crowds during outbreaks of RSV. Moderate-to-large outbreaks are often reported in the local news and newspapers to provide parents with an opportunity to avoid exposure.
The drug Synagis (palivizumab) is approved for the prevention of RSV disease in children younger than 24 months who are at high risk for serious RSV disease. Ask your doctor if your child should receive this medicine.

Synagis HELPS prevent RSV but its not 100%.
Washing your hands
Using hand sanatizer
Wiping down your countertops and other surfaces with Lysol wipes
Using Lysol Nuetra air to kill air born germs
Keeping your child out of stores during RSV, cold and flu season
Keeping sick visitors away
Wearing a mask when sick
All these things helps increase the chance of preventing RSV for your family.

I hear alot of people with stuffy noses or coughs say "Oh its just allergies". 95% of the time it turns out NOT to be just allergies, in my experience anyway. Don't take their word for it. Refuse their company or make them wear a mask and wash their hands. If your baby gets sick, theyre the ones suffering not you. Even if your child gets a cough and runny nose, remember RSV starts out the same way. You can take your child to your pediatrician to be checked. Its better to be safe than sorry. We wish you all the luck and pray you avoid a RSV breakout in your home.