RSV is one of the most prevalent lower respiratory tract diseases common these days among children.
Due to an undeveloped immune system and smaller airways, RSV affects children differently.
The RSV virus predominantly affects children, resulting in symptoms affecting their feeding, breathing, or coughing.
RSV is most prevalent in the fall, winter, and spring seasons.
However, parents can take specific steps to help prevent their children from being exposed to the illness.
Though there is no vaccine or cure for RSV, there are still specific ways to help you avoid your child getting sick and develop immunity to the virus.
Symptoms of RSV
RSV is one of the common respiratory viruses that can cause severe respiratory problems in children. It is crucial to be aware of the symptoms of RSV and get medical assistance if you get any of them.
Here are some things to know about RSV:
Common symptoms of RSV in adults include:
Fever
Runny
Nose
Coughing
Loss of appetite
Wheezing
In young infants, the symptoms are different from that of adults. Since RSV is a highly contagious virus, it can affect children differently.
A few ways that RSV can affect children include: –
Sudden fever
Jaundice
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Difficulty in breathing
Decreased Activity
Unwillingness
Irritability
Not drinking enough fluids
- In severe cases, RSV can lead to pneumonia. All of these effects are very serious and often require medical attention.RSV is a highly contagious virus and can quickly spread through contact with saliva, mucus, blood, or mucous from the nose and mouth. You may notice in your child the following:
If you notice worsening symptoms in your child, you must contact your healthcare provider for RSV testing without any delay.
Serious health concerns related to RSV
As RSV is lower respiratory tract disease, in severe cases, it can cause:
Inflammation of the small airways in the lungs
Pneumonia
Bronchiolitis
Usually, there is no need to hospitalize infants and adults suffering from RSV.
But, in the case of younger infants less than six months of age, you may need to hospitalize them if they suffer from concerns like difficulty breathing or dehydration.
Transmission Factors of RSV
RSV can spread through various means of transmission. Such as:
When a person infected by RSV coughs or sneezes
Touching virtually any surface contaminated with the pathogen on it.
Direct contact with an infected individual.
Usually, the symptoms last in an infected person for 3 to 8 days, but if a person or infant has poor immunity, they can continue transmitting the virus even after they stop showing the symptoms.
Children at Higher Risk
· Premature babies with the weaker immune system
· Children with chronic respiratory and cardiac diseases.
· Children with prevailing health conditions.
Prevention
In the case of children, you must take extra care to prevent them from getting infected.
Follow some preventive steps discussed below to keep your infant healthy.
Wash Hands Thoroughly
Wash your child’s hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
If soap is unavailable, use sanitizer before touching your face and eating.
Avoid Touching Face
Do not let your child touch their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
You can avoid germs transmission by doing so.
Avoid Sick People Come In Contact With Your Child
Avoid close contact of your child with sick people, such as sharing utensils, hugging, playing, etc.
Especially avoid those who have cold-like symptoms.
Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes
It is advisable to cover your mouth and nose with a napkin or tissue or even an upper shirt sleeve to stop transmission of the virus.
Do not forget to throw tissue or napkin in the trash after use.
Disinfect Surfaces
Clean and disinfect virus-prone surfaces and objects regularly touched by the people, such as door knobs, mobile phones, doorbells, etc.
If any infected person touches these surfaces, they may leave germs behind, so it is necessary to disinfect them.
Stay Home When You Are Not Well
Try to avoid going to public places and school if you are sick.
Doing so can protect others from being suspected of this deadly virus.
Conclusion
The best way to prevent it is to be observant of your child’s symptoms and have them checked out by a healthcare provider.
Are you worried about RSV?
Consult with one of the best teams of pediatricians in the US, Sun Pediatrics.
With years of experience in treating various health concerns of pediatrics, we have gained expertise in offering the best treatment.
We have a bunch of expert pediatricians who willingly cure children with the best of their efforts.
