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In addition to being mindful of the flu, this time of year is also when respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rears its ugly head. RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover from RSV in a week or two, but it can be serious – even dangerous – for infants and older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), each year RSV leads, on average, to more than 57,000 hospitalizations of children under 5 and 177,000 hospitalizations of adults over 65.
How can I tell if it’s RSV?
Initial symptoms will look much like a cold – a runny nose, coughing, sneezing and fever. But with RSV, children may start breathing faster, their nostrils flaring out when they breathe, or wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing) three to five days after the cold-like symptoms appear. RSV can also make children more irritable, sleepy, or uncomfortable and discharge from the runny nose will be thicker and heavier than a with a normal cold.
Healthcare providers will generally identify RSV based on symptoms and an examination. They may also take a nasal swab to run tests that can help detect the virus.
How RSV spreads
A highly contagious virus, RSV spreads through droplets released when someone coughs, sneezes or laughs. It can live on surfaces, hands and clothes, so it spreads easily when someone touches something contaminated.
Preventing RSV can be tough. Everyone in your household should wash hands with soap and water frequently. Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly. It’s also important to keep babies away from other children or adults with cold symptoms, because RSV can be more severe in infants. If you, your child, or another member of your household is sick, stay home. Because of its prevalence, most children will have contracted RSV at least once by their second birthday.
Treating RSV
Healthy infants and adults can generally fight RSV naturally and symptoms go away on their own in a week or two. Over-the-counter fever-reducers and pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with symptoms. Make sure you or your child drink plenty of fluids and blow your nose frequently (washing hands thoroughly afterwards). Antibiotics are not helpful, unless a secondary bacterial infection appears.
For some people with RSV infections, especially babies under six months and older adults, hospitalization may be necessary to address breathing problems or dehydration. In most case, this only lasts a few days. But in older adults, RSV can also cause more serious conditions, such as pneumonia.
Older adults with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have more severe symptoms and complications.
Dr. Andrew St. Martin is a board-certified family medicine physician in LaPlace, Louisiana. He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and has been practicing medicine for 21 years. To schedule an appointment with him at Ochsner Health Center- LaPlace Medical (735 W. 5th Street), please call (985) 652-9504 or schedule online at www.ochsner.org.