About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus, usually simply called RSV, is a common illness, especially in young children. As its name implies, respiratory syncytial virus affects the respiratory system, in particular the lungs and bronchioles. In adults, RSV usually produces symptoms no more serious than the common cold. However, in small children or premature babies, and most certainly in individuals with compromised immune systems or who suffer from other diseases affecting the heart and lungs, infection from this virus can cause serious complications. In such compromised cases, RSV can be life-threatening. It is for this reason that even if an otherwise healthy individual feels they have no more than a cold, precautions should be taken against spreading it to others.

Respiratory syncytial virus is extremely contagious and often spreads through droplets, when an infected person sneezes. It can also be picked up from surfaces and passed along. Commonly it spreads when school children bring the virus home to their family, so there is an identifiable annual time outbreaks are expected between late fall and spring. It is thought that most children contract RSV before the age of two.

Symptoms

Symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus usually present themselves from four days to a week following exposure. The individual will usually feel weak, run a low-grade fever, and experience a sore throat, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, and possibly have a headache. In other words, it will normally feel like a cold.

However, in more serious cases, the patient can develop a high fever and difficulty in breathing, and the skin may take on the bluish cast of a person who is not getting enough oxygen. Medical attention should be sought immediately if any of these serious symptoms develop.

Complications

Some possible complications from respiratory syncytial virus include pneumonia, asthma, and ear infections. Bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the lung airways, may also occur. Sometimes a person who has had RSV is plagued with chronic return of the disease, although usually in a milder form. If a patient finds themselves suffering from repeated colds, many times it's due to an RSV pattern.

Treatment

Over the counter remedies or home remedies are fine for most mild symptoms of RSV. Antibiotics are not useful unless complications of bacterial infection occur, such as ear infection. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be given for fever and discomfort.

If respiratory syncytial virus does become serious, sometimes hospitalization is required to treat it. Intravenous fluids may be given, and the patient may need humidified oxygen as well, to assist breathing. Various inhalers may be utilized to open airways and relieve wheezing. On occasion, epinephrine may be injected or inhaled through a nebulizer.

Prevention

While common sense should apply in preventing respiratory syncytial virus, it's easy to forget the rules. If you have a cold, don't shake hands! Cover your mouth when you sneeze, and wash your hands often. Try to keep surfaces clean, especially toys. And don't share a glass!

There is an injection available against RSV for those children who are especially at-risk for complications from it. There is also a medication called palivizumab which has been shown to be quite effective in preventing RSV in infants at high risk.

Again, in most cases we experience respiratory syncytial virus as nothing more than a mild cold. If we follow prevention techniques, complications for others can be avoided, too.

Sources:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/rsv.html

http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/respiratory-syncytial-virus/DS00414/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs