Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
RSV is a virus that causes colds in people of all ages. RSV can cause a serious lung infection in infants and young children. Most children will get RSV by the age of three. RSV is most common during the winter months.
How can my child get RSV?
RSV, like other cold viruses, is easy to spread to other people by touching, kissing, and shaking hands. Sometimes it can be spread by close contact with a person who is sneezing or coughing or touching things that have RSV on them. The most common way to spread RSV is by hand contact. People “catch” RSV from other people who have colds caused by RSV.
Who is at risk?
- Premature infants born more than 4 weeks early
- Low birth weight babies
- Babies with chronic lung disease
- Babies with serious heart disease
- Babies with severe neuromuscular disease
- Infants who attend daycare
- Infants exposed to smoke
- Family history of asthma
- Infants who live with school age siblings
- Infants who cannot fight infections well
What are the Symptoms of RSV?
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Fussiness
- Your child may seem very tired, less active
- Your child may not want to eat
- Loud or fast breathing
- Wheezing (a tight whistling or musical sound heard when your child breathes)
- Your child’s chest sinks in with each breath
- Low grade fever (in some children)
- Difficulty breathing, gasping for breath
Why is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) a concern?
Worsening symptoms can lead to severe lung infections, and may become life threatening.
How can I prevent my child from getting RSV?
There are two ways to help prevent your child from getting RSV.
1. Take everyday steps to prevent the spread of RSV, especially good hand washing.
- Wash your hands before touching your baby
- Ask other people to wash their hands before touching your baby
- Wash with soap and water or alcohol rub
- Keep your baby away from crowds
- Keep your baby away from people with colds
- Wash your baby’s toys and bedding often
- Keep your baby away from smoke
2. A medication called palivizumab (Synagis®) is recommended for babies at high risk for RSV. Click here to learn more about palivizumab (Synagis®).
How do I know my child has RSV?
It is sometimes hard to know whether your child has RSV because it can look like other infections. Illness in other family members or the time of the year may provide clues. Your doctor may examine your child and also test your baby’s nose drainage to see if the virus is present.
What do I do if my child gets RSV?
- Make sure your baby gets enough fluids to drink
- Keep your baby’s nose clean using a bulb syringe
- If you are concerned, call your doctor
How is RSV Treated?
Most children get better without medical treatment. Some children, especially newborns, premature infants or infants with heart or lung problems can be sicker and may need to be hospitalized. In the hospital, your child will be watched closely. Because a virus causes the illness, antibiotics will not be useful. Some children may need oxygen, breathing treatments or medicine for fever.
Can my child get RSV again?
Yes, your child can get RSV again, but most likely it will be milder than the first time.
References:
- Redbook Online. Respiratory syncytial virus. http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/2009/1/3.110?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=rsv&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&fdate=1/1/2009&tdate=1/31/2009&resourcetype=HWCIT. Accessed on 10/13/10
- American Academy of Pediatric (AAP). Updated guidance for palivizumab prophylaxis among infants and young children at increased risk of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus infection. Pediatrics. 2014;134:415-420.
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