Medical what is rsv

Most infants have had this infection by age 2. Outbreaks of RSV infections most often begin in the fall and run into the spring. The infection can occur in people of all ages.

The virus spreads through tiny droplets that go into the air when a sick person blows their nose, coughs, or sneezes. RSV often spreads quickly in crowded households and day care centers. The virus can live for a half an hour or more on hands. The virus can also live for up to 5 hours on countertops and for several hours on used tissues.

Many hospitals and clinics can rapidly test for RSV using a sample of fluid taken from the nose with a cotton swab. Infants and children with a severe RSV infection may be admitted to the hospital.

Treatment will include:. Rarely, RSV infection can cause death in infants. However, this is unlikely if the child is seen by a health care provider in the early stages of the disease. To help prevent RSV infection, wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby. Make certain that other people, especially caregivers, take steps to avoid giving RSV to your baby. Parents of high-risk young infants should avoid crowds during outbreaks of RSV. However, if it affects the lower respiratory tract, it bronchiolitis and pneumonia can develop.

In 1 to 2 percent of infants below the age of 6 months with RSV will need to spend time in the hospital. RSV is highly contagious and it spreads through droplet transmission. When a person with the infection coughs or sneezes, secretions from their respiratory tract containing the virus are passed out into the air. RSV can survive for hours on surfaces such as tabletops, hands and clothing, making it easy for the virus to be transmitted from person to person.

A person is usually contagious for 3 to 8 days , but young children and those with a weakened immune system may still be able to pass it on for up to 4 weeks, even after their symptoms disappear. Early symptoms in children and infants include :.

RSV can be dangerous in infants , especially in:. However, most children experience an RSV before the age of 2 years without having any serious problems. Children and infants will usually recover within 1 to 2 weeks, but RSV can continues to spread for longer in those aged under 6 months and people with a weakened immune system.

Symptoms of RSV include :. Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection that can result from RSV. It commonly affects those under 2 years old. The airways become inflamed and infected. The following symptoms may occur:. Show references Kliegman RM, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; Accessed Oct. Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Hurley LP, et al.

Primary care physicians' perspectives on respiratory syncytial virus RSV disease in adults and a potential RSV vaccine for adults. Chen X, et al. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. Respiratory syncytial virus infection RSV : Symptoms and care. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Dec. Respiratory syncytial virus RSV infection child. Do not give aspirin to children who have a viral illness.

Such use is linked to Reye syndrome , which can be life-threatening. Do not use over-the-counter cold medicines, which can be dangerous for young children. Because RSV can spread easily by touching infected people or surfaces, washing hands well and often can help stop it.

Wash your hands after being around someone who has cold symptoms. And school-age kids who have a cold should keep away from younger siblings — especially babies — until their symptoms end. The protection it gives doesn't last long, though. Ask the health care provider if your child is considered high-risk. Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD.

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