What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the most common cause of serious respiratory infections in infants and young children. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a negative-sense, enveloped RNA virus.

RSV infection causes cold-like (due to upper respiratory tract involvement) symptoms in adults and children older than 3 years.

In infants and children under the age of three, however, RSV infection usually causes a lower respiratory tract disease like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

How does Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Spread?

RSV is an infectious disease. RSV infection is spread from respiratory secretions. When someone comes in close contact with an RSV infected person, or with RSV contaminated materials, the infection gets transmitted. RSV infection usually occurs when RSV contaminated/infectious objects come in contact with mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, or nose. Often RSV exposure occurs when one inhales respiratopry secretions (tiny droplets) releaseed in air by an RSV-infected person when (s)he sneezes or coughs. RSV infection is quite common in young children.

Common Symptoms of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection:

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Symptoms are often similar to those present in Pneumonia or bronchiolitis. The following (cold-like) symptoms are usually present in RSV patients:

• Fever,
• Nasal congestion,
• Shallow and rapid breathing,
• Shortness of breath,
• Cyanosis (low blood oxygen levels),
• coughing (especially Croup like barking cough), and
• Wheezing.

Diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection:

RSV virus can be quickly detected in nasal fluid. Wheezing, abnormal lung sounds, chest X-rays, RSV antibody blood test, and blood tests to check for low blood oxygen levels are commonly used to positively diagnose RSV infection.

Treatment Options for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection:

Mild RSV infections usually resolve without treatment. Depending upon the severity of RSV infection, however, the following treatment options may be considered:

• Oxygen therapy,
• Bronchodilator,
• Intubation,
• Mechanical ventilation (ventilator),
• Air Humidification,
• Hydration by IV fluids, and
• Antiviral medications.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prognosis:

RSV infection may rarely cause death in infants. In older children and adult patients, RSV infection is usually mild. Most children recover from RSV infection within two weeks or so. They may, however, experience recurring episodes of RSV infections throughout life. Children diagnosed with RSV bronchiolitis are at greater risk of developing asthma.

How to Prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infections?

It is not that difficult to contain spread of RSV virus. Here are a few simply ways to protect your baby from RSV virus:

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water,
• Insist that others wash their hands with soap and warm water prior to coming in contact with your baby,
• Prevent others from coming in contact with the baby if they have a fever or cold-like symptoms,
• Wear a mask if necessary,
• Do not allow any one with cold-like symptoms to kiss the baby,
• Keep young children away from your baby,
• Protect your baby from exposure to second hand smoke, and
• Talk to your doctor about using a preventive medicine such as Synagis. Monthly shots of Synagis may be considered for your child if (s)he is in a high-risk group.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Diagnosis and Treatment News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Articles.

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