A Brief Overview of RSV and
How to Prevent this Disease
RSV is a respiratory virus that attacks both the upper and lower portions of the
respiratory tract. The virus can start off small with minor cold or flu symptoms or develop into something more
"hospital serious" with bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
It is always the weak who are most vulnerable to infectious diseases as they do not have the strong immune system
needed to fight off most infections. The elderly, young children and babies often get many illnesses but one to
particularly watch for is RSV or respiratory syncytial virus.
RSV is a respiratory virus that attacks both the upper and lower portions of the respiratory tract. The virus
can start off small with minor cold or flu symptoms or develop into something more "hospital serious" with
bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Some of the most common symptoms include cough, fever, lots of nasal drainage that runs
clear and even poor appetite in babies as well as irritability.
Transmission of RSV
RSV is similar to other viruses in that it takes direct contact with the respiratory droplets that house the
germs. Breathing in the same air as someone who sneezes and coughs is a surefire way to contract the virus. In
addition, because the virus can stay alive indefinitely on surfaces, you could even develop RSV after coming into
contact with a contaminated surface and then touching your face near your eyes, nose or mouth.
Wintertime is the most common season when RSV occurs with early spring coming in a close second. It takes up to
a week between exposure and symptoms cropping up. Unfortunately for infants, they can stay infectious for up to a
month while older adults can spread the virus for about a week. For those with compromised immune systems,
recurring health problems will be the likely result of RSV.
Treatment and Prevention of RSV
Because viruses cannot be treated successfully by antibiotics, there are other ways to treat RSV. The chance of
dehydration is great so fluids are promoted. And because RSV affects the respiratory system, oxygen is often needed
for easier breathing. For those individuals with a higher susceptibility, antiviral medications are often tried
like Ribavirin.
Hospital Infection ControlThe skin will first become sensitive and red in color and then the blisters appear at the site. The blisters eventually burst and ooze so it is important to clean these broken blisters promptly and do not pick unopened ones so as not to spread the infection to others or even to other parts of your body.
New skin growth forms once the blisters "pop" and drain. Most do not leave a scar. Swollen glands, muscle pain, fever, and other flu-type of symptoms may present themselves as well.
Infection Control Nurse
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RSV can be prevented through proper hand washing hygiene. Soap and water is best as long as you spend at least a
minute lathering up and washing between fingers as well as beneath fingernails. In addition, proper disposal of
tissues used to wipe and blow noses is essential. Another way to decrease the chance of RSV happening to you or
your baby includes disinfecting children's toys as well as common surfaces that everyone has the potential to
touch.
While there is no vaccine for RSV at the moment, immune globulin is sometimes administered for high risk
patients. This immune globulin helps boost body immunity with the production of new antibodies. There are some
preventative treatments for RSV but only people who are highly susceptible to RSV typically get them. While these
preventative treatments don't always halt the virus in its tracks, they do help your body produce antibodies to
fight the infection. If you or your child is susceptible to respiratory illnesses, it would pay to ask your doctor
about these treatments and avoid a trip to the hospital. RSV can be serious to the right people, so educate
yourself about its dangers to both you and your kids.
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