Key points:
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Respiratory syncytial virus could trigger bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
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Babies, adults over 65 years old, and people with serious medical problems can be greatly affected.
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Normally the contagious period of RSV is three to eight days, but babies and people with a weak immune system can reach four weeks of transmission.
Respiratory syncytial virus or simply RSV, it’s a virus that commonly attacks the respiratory system, causing mild, cold-like symptoms in most cases, says Dr. Roxana Trejo González, corporate epidemiology manager at ABC Medical Center.
But in some cases, it can cause serious lung infections, mainly in babies up to a year old or premature, in adults over 65 years old, and in people who have serious medical problems such as heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
The respiratory syncytial virus can be transmitted in different situations:
- When coughing or sneezing, through the air.
- Kisses with direct contact.
- Touching objects or surfaces where the virus is found and, later, touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Generally, people infected with this virus can become contagious for a period of three to eight days, but in some cases, babies and people with a weak immune systems can become contagious for four weeks.
Identify the symptoms of the respiratory syncytial virus
Frequently, RSV symptoms appear four to six days after exposure to the virus:
- Nasal congestion
- Decreased appetite
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Low fever
- Wheezing
- Cough
Among the serious symptoms of RSV are:
- Bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs).
- Pneumonia (lung infection).
- Difficulty breathing.
- Cyanosis (bluish skin color due to lack of oxygen).
“Pneumonia is the single leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. This disease caused the death of 740,180 children under 5 years old in 2019, representing 14% of all deaths in children under 5 years old worldwide and 22% of all deaths in children between 1 and 5 years old. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia.”1
How to care for someone with RSV?
Although there is no specific treatment for this respiratory virus infection, in most cases it clears up on its own within up to two weeks, with the support of painkillers, if necessary, and drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Dr. Trejo says that there are some precautions to consider when caring for children with respiratory syncytial virus, such as that cough medicines should not be given to children under four years old and aspirin should not be given to children in general.
For severe cases of RSV, the patient may need to be hospitalized where oxygen, a breathing tube, or a ventilator is used, if necessary.
How to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection?
In prevention against the spread of the respiratory syncytial virus, there are only actions that can help reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the infection, such as:
- Covering with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands frequently, using soap and water.
- Do not kiss, shake hands, or share objects that have been in the mouth (cutlery, cups, food, etc.) in case of being sick or with possible symptoms.
- Do not touch your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you confirm that you are sick.
If your child has symptoms of this infection, come to the ABC Medical Center’s Pediatrics Center, or, in case of an adult, visit the Internal Medicine area, where we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
Dr. Roxana Trejo González, corporate epidemiology manager at ABC Medical Center.
1https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia
