Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a respiratory virus. It causes infection of the lungs and respiratory tract. RSV is common in children at the age of 2. A person who’s infected recovers directly in just 1 or 2 weeks.

RSV is the common cause of bronchiolitis and Pneumonia. It can also occur in Adults.  In adults and healthy children, the symptoms are mild and cold-like symptoms. RSV can also cause severe infection.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS

The signs and symptoms of RSV are the following:

Mild Symptoms include:

• A Runny Nose
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Fever
• Loss of Appetite

Severe Symptoms:

• A severe Cough
• Fever
• Difficulty in Breathing
• Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen
• Wheezing

Other Severe Symptoms occurs in Infants include:

• Refuses to feed
• Irritability
• Lethargy
• Trouble Breathing
• A cough producing green or gray mucus
• Signs of Dehydration – little urine in the diaper & lack of tears when crying

CAUSES OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS

RSV is a caused by a Virus. It transmits to a person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus of RSV enters your body through your nose or your mouth.

PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID

The listed below are tips top care a child or a person having RSV:

• Give plenty of water & clear fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Use saline nose drops to loosen mucus in the nose.
• For children & infant who are too young to blow their nose. Use a nasal aspirator to remove sticky nasal fluids.
• Use a cool-mist modifier. To soothe irritated breathing passages and relieve coughing.
• Wear a face mask to avoid others to infect.

PEOPLE AT RISK OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS

The following are the list of people who have a high risk of having RSV.

• Premature infants
• Young infants under 6 months and younger
• Children below 2 years old with chronic lung disease
• Children below 2 years old with chronic heart disease
• Children with weak immune system
• Children with the neuromuscular disorder
• Exposure to other Children.
• Crowded places with people having RSV.
• Old adult under 65 years old and above
• An adult with chronic heart & lung disease
• An adult with a weak immune system

TRANSMISSION

The listed below are ways on how RSV is transmitted.

• An infected person coughs or sneezes without covering his mouth.
• Touching a surface that has a virus (e.g doorknob)
• Touching your face without washing your hands.
• Direct-contact with a child with RSV.
• Kissing the face of a child with RSV.
• A person with RSV infects a person with a weak immune system.

HOW TO PREVENT RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS

The following are steps to prevent the transmission of RSV. These include:

• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Don’t share glasses with others.
• Avoid close contact with others.
• Keep your things clean.
• Avoid exposing your child to people having colds or fever.
• Avoid Smoking.
• Wash your child’s toy regularly.