Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in young babies, especially to those in certain high-risk groups.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, RSV activity typically begins to increase in Texas in September or October and peaks in December or January. The timing of the RSV season and the seasonal peaks can vary by region in Texas.
Quick Facts About RSV
- RSV is a contagious viral disease that may infect a person’s lungs and breathing passages.
- Almost everyone gets RSV by age 2.
- People can get the disease more than once.
- Most people recover from the disease in a week or two, but RSV can be severe, especially in children 6 months of age and younger and in older adults. Premature infants or those with lung or heart problems are at high risk for serious disease.
- The number of people who get RSV typically goes up in the fall then peaks in the winter and goes down in early spring. But the exact timing of RSV season varies by location.
Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors
RSV is the most common germ that causes lung and airway infections in infants and young children. Most infants have had this infection by age 2. Outbreaks of RSV infections most often begin in the fall and run into the spring.
The infection can occur in people of all ages. The virus spreads through tiny droplets that go into the air when a sick person blows their nose, coughs, or sneezes.
How You Become Infected
- A person with RSV sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you.
- You touch, kiss, or shake hands with someone who is infected by the virus.
- You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contamined by the virus, such as a toy or doorknob.
- RSV often spreads very rapidly in crowded households and day care centers. The virus can live for a half an hour or more on hands. The virus can also live for up to 5 hours on countertops and for several hours on used tissues.
Factors that Increase Your Risk of Becoming Infected
- Attending day care
- Being near tobacco smoke
- Having school-aged brothers or sisters
- Living in crowded conditions
Symptoms of RSV
Symptoms vary and differ with age. They usually appear 4 – 6 days after coming in contact with the virus.
Older children usually have only mild, cold-like symptoms, such as cough, stuffy nose, or low-grade fever.
Infants under age 1 may have more severe symptoms and often have the most trouble breathing.
In general, RSV symptoms include:
- Bluish skin color due to a lack of oxygen (cyanosis)
- Breathing difficulty or labored breathing
- Cough
- Croupy cough (often described as a “seal bark” cough)
- Fever
- Nasal flaring
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Shortness of breath
- Stuffy nose
- Wheezing
Testing for RSV
Many hospitals and clinics can rapidly test for RSV using a sample of fluid taken from the nose with a cotton swab or bulb syringe.
Treatment
Antibiotics do not treat RSV. Mild infections go away without treatment, but infants and children with a severe RSV infection may be admitted to the hospital.
Treatment will include:
- Oxygen
- Moist (humidified) air
- Fluids through a vein (by IV)
A breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed.
Expectations (Prognosis)
Rarely, RSV infection can cause death in infants. However, this is unlikely if the child is seen by a health care provider in the early stages of the disease.
More severe RSV disease may occur in the following infants:
- Premature infants
- Infants with chronic lung disease
- Infants whose immune system does not work well
- Infants with certain forms of heart disease
Complications from RSV
In young children, RSV can cause:
- Bronchiolitis
- Croup
- Ear infections
- Lung failure
- Pneumonia
Children who have had RSV bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma.
Calling your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if breathing difficulties or other symptoms of this disorder appear. Any breathing difficulties in an infant are an emergency. Seek medical attention right away.
Preventing RSV
A simple way to help prevent RSV infection is to wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby. It is important to make certain that other people, especially caregivers, take steps to avoid giving RSV to your baby.
Parents of high-risk young infants should avoid crowds during outbreaks of RSV. Moderate-to-large outbreaks are often reported in the local news and newspapers to provide parents with an opportunity to avoid exposure.
The drug Synagis (palivizumab) is approved for the prevention of RSV disease in children younger than 24 months who are at high risk for serious RSV disease. Ask your doctor if your child should receive this medicine.
The following simple steps can help protect your baby from getting sick:
- Insist that others wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching your baby.
- Have others avoid contact with the baby if they have a cold or fever. If necessary, have them wear a mask.
- Be aware that kissing the baby can spread RSV infection.
- Try to keep young children away from your baby. RSV is very common among young children and easily spreads from child to child.
- Do not smoke inside your house, car, or anywhere near your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of RSV illness.