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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild symptoms that resemble the common cold.
However, the virus can be serious in infants, young children and the elderly.
The CDC notes that the virus is also the most common cause of pneumonia in children under one year of age.
Here’s what you need to know about the virus, which spreads to children almost as quickly as the COVID-19 virus.
Although RSV typically peaks in the fall and winter, this year has seen an increase in cases in the summer, particularly in the southern half of the United States.
Experts say the virus is spreading because it was suppressed during the winter, when everyone was on high alert for COVID-19 and taking extra precautions while waiting for the vaccine to roll out.
“My speculation is that because we took away his normal circulation time during the winter, it kind of makes up for the time lost now,” said Dr Claudette Poole, a pediatric infectious disease physician at the Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. , to NBC News in July.
Symptoms of RSV vary with age, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In infants, they include the following:
- Runny nose.
- Fever (but not always present).
- To sneeze.
- To cough.
- Decreased appetite.
In children and adults, common symptoms can include:
- Runny nose.
- Congestion.
- Slight headache.
- Sore throat.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Tired
Severe cases can lead to respiratory distress, progressing to bronchitis or pneumonia.
Part of the reason RSV is so common in children has to do with how it is spread.
Not only can you get it from the droplets transmitted by the coughing or sneezing of an infected person, but the virus also lives on hard surfaces and objects.
It is always best to call your doctor or pediatrician for advice.
According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment for RSV usually involves self-care measures to make the child more comfortable. Offer plenty of fluids and watch for signs of dehydration.
The Mayo Clinic says doctors may recommend over-the-counter antipyretic drugs like Tylenol (but not aspirin), as well as saline nasal drops to help clear a stuffy nose. A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics for you.
If RSV is severe, a hospital stay may be necessary.
Although COVID-19 can affect children, the majority of coronavirus cases involve adults. Adults are also more likely to develop severe symptoms of COVID-19, especially if they have an underlying health problem.
RSV can affect people of all ages, but it’s most common in infants and young children.
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