RSV is Respiratory syncytial virus. This is a common and highly contagious virus. It usually infects the respiratory tract of most  children before their second birthday . It normally occurs  through fall and winter ( around November through April ).For most children , this infection presents itself as a cold. However in a small percentage of children, it  may lead to serious complications such as brochiolitis or  pneumonia  and this can be life threatening.

 
Children at risk for severe RSV infections include the following :

• premature babies
• babies younger than 2 born with heart or lung disease
• children under 8 to 10 weeks of age
• babies and children with a compromised immune system due to disease or medical treatment

What are the symptoms of RSV ?

 
Symptoms of RSV are similar to that of the common cold and include cough and runny nose that last for a couple of weeks. You should however contact your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms .

• high fever
• difficult breathing
• coughing up yellow, green or gray mucus
• thick nasal discharge
• inactivity
• refusal to eat
• signs of dehydration such as little or no urine in the diaper for about 6 hours, lack of tears when crying  and cool , dry skin

 
If your baby is breathing rapidly or blue tint to the lips or fingernails, seek medical attention immediately.

How is RSV treated ?

 
There is no medication  to treat the virus. Treating RSV means treating the symptoms  of the infection and it’s effect on the respiratory   system.

For most children , home care treatment may be enough. This includes :

•  the removal of sticky nasal fluids with  a syringe bulb using saline drops
• giving the child lots of fluids in small amounts  frequently throughout the day
• moistening the air to make breathing easier by using  cool mist vaporizer
• giving aspirin free pain relievers such as acetaminophen

 
In severe cases, babies will be hospitalized  and treatment include :

• oxygen
• IV fluids
• medications to open the airways

How can RSV be prevented ?

 
You can get RSV by touching people or surfaces infected with the virus. The following tips can help prevent  passing the virus on to your baby.

• wash your hands frequently and especially when  you come into contact with someone with cold symptoms
• don’t kiss your baby if you have cold symptoms
• clean and disinfect hard surfaces
• do not let people touch your baby first without washing their hands
• do not let people smoke around your baby
• keep your baby away from large crowds
• limit the times high risk children stay in daycare. This is especially important during late fall to early spring seasons
• keep the baby away from anyone with cold symptoms even siblings if possible

 
There is no vaccine for RSV. However  a medication known as pallidizumab may prevent RSV infections and protect high risk children from serious complications associated with RSV. If you have a high risk baby, talk to your doctor about this monthly injections especially during the peak season for RSV.