Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RSV by Mikhayla Perry
RSV is a highly contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract of children. For most it just causes a cold, but for some, the virus can be serious. It can cause bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. Those most at risk for severe infection would be premature infants, those with heart or lung diseases, those with weak immune systems, or children under 10 weeks old.
In hospitals
RSV can be contracted in hospitals. If a nurse or doctor had been exposed and forgets to wash hands the baby could get sick.
High risk infants
RSV is easily spread by touch. Limit infants to those with cold-like symptoms. Wash hands frequently. And clean and disinfect hard surfaces.
No Vaccine?
There is still no vaccine for RSV yet. So be mindful of who is around your baby.
RSV Treatments
Palivizumab can help prevent serious RSV complications. But there is no treatment for RSV itself. At home treatments consist of keep nasal passages clean of fluids, and using a cool mist vaporizer to make breathing easier. Also by having the infant drink small amount of fluids throughout the day, and giving non aspirin fever reducers.
For babies that experience more severe complications they may need hospital treatment for oxygen, IV fluids, and medications to open airways.