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OVERVIEW

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus. It affects your lungs. It makes it difficult to breathe. The virus is common in children under 2. However, people of all ages can get it. It is more serious for young and premature babies. Also, it is serious for older adults with poor health. Adults over 65 with heart and lung disease are at a higher risk for getting the virus. RSV is common in the spring and fall. You can get RSV more than once in your lifetime.

Certain risk factors make young babies more likely to catch RSV. This includes:

• Being underweight
• Congenital heart disease
• Impaired immune system (your body cannot fight infections)
• Lung disease
• Premature birth
• Neuromuscular disease (muscular dystrophy)
• Exposure to tobacco smoke while in the womb

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms are different based on age. Older children and healthy adults have mild, cold-like symptoms. This includes a cough (some describe it as a “barking” cough), stuffy nose, and low fever. Symptoms appear 4 to 6 days after catching the virus.

Infants (less than 1 year old), premature babies, and adults who are older than 65 with lung and heart disease have more serious symptoms. These can include:

• Runny nose
• Poor appetite
• Coughing
• Fever
• Sneezing
• Irritability (in babies)
• Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath, wheezing, rapid breathing)
• Flaring nostrils as you breathe
• Bluish skin (due to lack of oxygen)

More serious infections can lead to:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchiolitis (lung inflammation)

CAUSES

What causes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

RSV is a virus. It’s caused by a common germ found in lung infections. Children under the age of 2 typically get the infection. RSV is spread through sneezing, coughing, sharing food, cups, eating utensils, touching used tissues, and kissing a person with the virus. Also, it spreads by touching your nose and mouth after coming into contact with an infected person. RSV spreads in crowded areas. This includes daycare centres, schools, and crowded living conditions (college dorms).

PREVENTION

Can respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) be prevented or avoided?

Reduce your risk of getting the virus by following these tips:

• Wash your hands with soap, frequently.
• Don’t go to work, school, or public places if you are sick. RSV spreads quickly in large crowds.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when you sneeze or cough. Don’t use your hands.
• Don’t share food, drinks, or eating utensils.
• Don’t kiss.
• Don’t share or touch used tissues.
• Don’t shake hands.
• Don’t touch a baby if you are sick.
• Wash your eating utensils with hot, soapy water.

TREATMENT

RSV cannot be treated with an antibiotic. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. A mild case of RSV will go away after 2 weeks if untreated. Young babies and older people who have a serious case of RSV may be admitted into the hospital. Hospital patients may need oxygen, moist air through a facemask, and intravenous (IV) fluids. For an IV, a small needle is inserted into the vein in your arm. It is attached to a small tube that pumps fluids into your body. In rare, but serious cases, a patient may need a ventilator (a machine to help you breathe).

The medicine palivizumab has been approved for the prevention of RSV in children. This is for children who are at high risk. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about this medicine.

Living with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

A mild case of RSV is like having a cold for 2 weeks. Those who have to be hospitalized will experience more discomfort (difficulty breathing). Once the virus goes away, your breathing will return to normal.