Respiratory what? I’ve never even heard of this virus before I recently came upon it in my research. The good news is it’s usually as harmless as the common cold, although it makes you feel just as bad. I don’t know that I have met a single person who has ever had an official diagnosis of RSV or knows somebody that has been diagnosed, even after “polling” most of my family and friends. Because I’d never heard or read about this illness before, so I thought it very important to share what I learned in hopes of allaying fears and letting others know the mild nature of this illness but also of RSV’s risk factors.

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is the leading cause of bronchitis and pneumonia among infants and children under the age of 1 year old. The majority of children hospitalized for RSV are under the age of 6 months old. Most children infected by the virus recover within 8-15 days; however, a life-long battle of re-infection may occur, and is usually associated with moderate-to-severe cold-like symptoms.

RSV isn’t typically something that you need to worry about, but it can lead to pneumonia or other problems in some people, especially babies. So watch the symptoms, and contact your pediatrician if the symptoms get worse. Lower respiratory tract disease may later be a result of having had RSV, and can be severe especially in the elderly or those whose immune systems are compromised, but may occur at any age. Most people have had RSV at least once by the time they are 2 years old.

Causes

A virus causes RSV. Like the virus that causes the common cold, RSV attacks the nose, eyes, throat and lungs of the affected individual. RSV is spread from respiratory secretions through close contact with infected individuals with sneezing or coughing. The virus can also live on objects and surfaces such as kitchen countertops. RSV can be highly contagious, also like a cold.

Symptoms

As stated above, RSV typically displays the same symptoms of a cold, including:
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Mild sore throat
• Earache
• Fever
Babies with RSV may also:
• Have no energy
• Act fussy or cranky
• Be less hungry than usual

If your child is showing more severe symptoms like wheezing or difficulty breathing, consult with your physician or pediatrician.

Prevention

Trying to prevent RSV is as difficult as the prevention of the common cold. Using and teaching your child to use proper daily hygiene goes a long way in lessening your chances of contracting the virus. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, and teach your kids to do the same. Eat a well balanced diet high in nutrients that will give you and your children natural antibiotic properties to ward against illness.

Home Remedies

Home treatment is usually all that is needed for most people with RSV, and typically goes away on its own. Below are some things you can do to make your child more comfortable and to quicken the healing process:
• Make sure your child’s head is propped up to make it easier for him/her to breathe
• Suction the nose of an infant to clear the nasal passage and enable better breathing for eating and sleeping
• Warm fluids relax the throat and help with coughing spasms
• Humidifiers or cool mist vaporizers will help keep the air from getting too dry and aggravating the throat
• Eating can be tiring, so offer formula or breast milk in small amounts more often throughout the day, and smaller more frequent meals for older children
• Offer plenty of clear liquid to the child to keep him/her hydrated

-Anne

Do you have any home remedies for Respiratory Syncytial Virus? Comment and share them with us!

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