About RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of
respiratory illness in young children. RSV causes infection of the
lungs and breathing passages. In adults, it may only produce
symptoms of a common cold, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore
throat, mild headache, cough, fever, and a general feeling of being
ill. But RSV infections can lead to other more serious illnesses in
premature babies and kids 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. Almost all kids 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
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. Doctors typically diagnose RSV by taking a medical history
and doing a physical exam. Generally, in healthy kids, it's not
necessary to distinguish RSV from a common cold. But in cases where
a child has other health conditions, a doctor might want to make a
specific diagnosis. RSV is typically identified in nasal
secretions, which can be collected either with a cotton swab or by
suction through a bulb syringe.
Preventing RSV
Because RSV can be easily spread by touching people or surfaces
that are infected, frequent handwashing can go a long way toward
preventing the virus from spreading around a household. It's
best to wash your hands after having any contact with someone who
has any cold symptoms. And keep your school-age child with a cold
away from younger siblings - particularly infants - until the
symptoms pass.
To prevent serious RSV-related respiratory disease, at-risk kids
can be given a monthly injection of a medication consisting of RSV
antibodies during peak RSV season (roughly November to April).
Because its protection is short-lived, it has to be given in
subsequent years until the child is no longer at high risk for
severe RSV infection. Ask the doctor if your child is considered
high risk.
Treating RSV
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.
Medication may sometimes be given to help open airways.
In an infant, however, an RSV infection can be more serious and
may require hospitalization so that the baby can be watched
closely, receive fluids, and, if necessary, be treated for
breathing problems.
At home, make a child with an RSV infection as comfortable as
possible, allow time for recovery, and provide plenty of fluids.
The last part can be tricky, however, because babies may not feel
like drinking. In that 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 to keep the air moist - winter air can dry
out airways and make the mucus stickier. Avoid hot-water and steam
humidifiers, which can be hazardous and can 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 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. Aspirin should NOT be used in children with viral
illnesses since its use in such cases has been associated with Reye
syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
When to Call the Doctor
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
Call also if you think your child might be dehydrated.
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 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.
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: September 2006
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.