Diseases, Conditions & Concerns / Question
Published: May 14, 2008

Dear TeenHealthFX,

What is RSV and what are its affects?

Signed: What is RSV

Dear What is RSV,

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages in young children.  RSV is spread through respiratory droplets via cough or sneeze of an infected person or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.  RSV infections typically start late fall or winter and end in the early spring months. 

 

RSV can cause infection at any age, but in infants causes more symptoms. People can get infected numerous times with RSV, and develop partial immunity with each infection, thereby having less symptoms with subsequent infections. Even though RSV can be mild and produce symptoms similar to the common cold, certain population groups can be severely affected such as premature infants, and children who have chronic lung problems.  The best prevention is good, frequent hand washing, and avoiding sick contacts. For high risk children, Synagis can be given during the RSV season to prevent serious respiratory complications.  It is a monthly injection, usually given from November to March, which is the ‘high risk” time in this region.

 

In its mildest form for every age range, the illness can present as coughing, sneezing, fever, stuffy/runny nose, and wheezing.  If the illness becomes worse, the child can have increased wheezing, cough and difficulty breathing with increased respiratory rate.  If a child develops respiratory distress, medical attention should be pursued. The symptoms usually last about a week but can last a few weeks. 

 

Mild cases of RSV usually require no specific treatment.  If breathing difficulty occurs, the child may need to be hospitalized and given supplemental oxygen if the oxygen levels are low and intravenous fluid for dehydration.  Some children may require some medications to open the airways. Antibiotics are not used because it is only effective against bacteria and RSV is a virus.  Many children who have asthma have had a history of RSV infection.  Thirty three to fifty percent of children with RSV infection in infancy have recurrent episodes of wheezing and the recurrence is increased if the child has allergic tendencies such as eczema, hay fever, and family history of asthma.   

 

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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