RSV Awareness Month

What is RSV?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV for short, is a highly contagious virus primarily affecting the respiratory system.

RSV spreads quickly through person-to-person contact, primarily through close interactions with infected individuals, including exposure to respiratory secretions from coughing and sneezing. Moreover, touching objects like toys or doorknobs that the virus has come into contact with can also transmit it.

According to data from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, in the United States, RSV is the primary cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in children under one year of age.

Annually, it leads to approximately 2.1 million outpatient visits, 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations, and an estimated 100-300 deaths among children under five. These numbers underscore the importance of understanding and managing RSV, especially in our youngest population.

However, small children are not the only ones affected, as the virus substantially contributes to respiratory illness in older adults, with an estimated 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 fatalities annually among adults aged 65 years and older.

Symptoms of RSV

RSV symptoms vary from mild to severe and may mimic those of the common cold or flu. While most patients experience mild symptoms and recover within a week, it’s essential to be vigilant, especially when young children and older adults are concerned.

Common RSV symptoms include:

• Coughing: Persistent and severe coughing, often accompanied by wheezing.
• Runny or Stuffy Nose: Congestion and a runny nose can make breathing difficult for infants.
• Fever: Mild to high fever can be an indication of RSV.
• Irritability: Infants may become more fussy or irritable than usual.
• Decrease in Appetite: Loss of appetite when accompanied by cold or flu-like symptoms can be a sign of RSV.
• Difficulty Breathing: Rapid or labored breathing, flaring nostrils, or chest retractions (visible pulling in of the chest muscles while breathing) can be signs of severe RSV.

Preventing RSV Infection

Preventing RSV infection, particularly in infants, is of utmost importance. Here are some steps you can take:

• Hand Hygiene: Regularly wash your hands and ensure those around your baby do the same.
• Avoid Close Contact: Try to limit close contact with people who are sick and keep your baby away from crowded places when possible.
• Clean and Disinfect: Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs and toys.
• Breastfeeding: If possible, breastfeed your baby as it can provide antibodies that help protect against RSV.
• Practice Good Respiratory Hygiene: Teach older children to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.
• Consider Vaccination: RSV vaccines can help reduce the risk of severe illness. Speak to your doctor about RSV vaccination’s potential benefits and contraindications before immunization.

When to Seek Emergency Care

It is crucial to recognize when it’s time to seek emergency care for an RSV-infected child. The following symptoms are examples of warning signs you shouldn’t ignore:

• Severe Difficulty Breathing: If your child struggles to breathe, their lips or nails turn blue, or there are persistent chest retractions, seek immediate medical attention.
• High Fever: If your child’s fever reaches a dangerous level (above 104°F or 40°C), it’s time to go to the emergency room.
• Lethargy: If your child is unusually lethargic or difficult to wake up, this could be a sign of severe illness.

Warning signs in adults are similar to those in infants. Please seek emergency care if you notice the following: shortness of breath, wheezing, worsening cough, a fever, or a bluish tint to your skin.