Raleigh County, WV (WOAY) – RSV is a mild respiratory illness for most, but it has the potential to be deadly for some.
WOAY spoke with an expert at Appalachian Regional Hospital to learn more.
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common illness that can be especially serious for infants and the elderly. RSV season runs from October to May and peaks in the winter, but according to the CDC, this season’s activity started later and may persist longer than normal.
“It’s commonly like flu or common cold symptoms,” Dr. Nehal Patel said. “If a baby is having a stuffy nose and starts taking breath from the mouth, or if their chest intercostal muscle, the muscle [between the two ribs], gets a retraction, that is a bad sign. You have to immediately contact your doctor or take them to the ER.”
For at-home care, Dr. Patel says to use a nasal suction bulb to clear infants’ airways, hydrate well, and treat symptoms like low-grade fever with Tylenol, but seek urgent care for worsening breathing or a persistent fever. However, the best treatment for RSV is often to prevent its spread in the first place.
“If you have flu-like symptoms, try to avoid going to a crowded place,” he said. “Handwashing is very important because you can spread your saliva and mucus secretion by shaking hands or if you use a common utensil for food… it will make a big difference.”
According to Princeton Community Hospital, RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization and leads to more than 250,000 emergency room visits annually among adults. Preventing the spread of RSV helps to protect those at risk, but grandparents of young children may want to take further measures.
“For elderly people, especially those more than 60 years old, we have RSV vaccination available in the market, especially if they have underlying asthma or COPD, and they have contact with grandkids too much. They are always at risk of getting RSV. I would recommend taking the RSV vaccine.”
RSV is mild for most people, but everyone can practice good hygiene and do their part to protect the most vulnerable. If you or your child has severe breathing trouble, be sure to seek medical care right away.
