RSV: What You Need to Know About Respiratory Syncytial Virus

It's that time of year again. It's time for young and old alike to battle the usual winter sniffle and sneezes. It's also time to be on the look out for an illness that mimics a simple cold, but one that can put your little ones in the hospital. It is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It was discovered in 1955, but the burden of this infectious agent on all of the population is only now beginning to be fully appreciated.

WHAT IS RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a viral disease of the lungs. It is spread from respiratory secretions through close contact with infected persons or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. It is one of the most important causes of lower respiratory tract illness in infants and young children. RSV affects nearly all babies by the age of 2. RSV has been traditionally thought of as a disease afflicting young children, but it is now recognized as a common cause of mild respiratory disease in adults. RSV can occur when infections material contacts eyes, mouth and nose and possibly through the inhalation of droplets generated by a cough or sneeze.

WHERE AND WHEN DOES RSV OCCUR?

RSV infections occur worldwide. Most children are infected at least once by age 2 and continue to be re-infected throughout life. In temperate climates, RSV infections usually occur in the winter. Peaks occur in January and February in the United States.

WHO IS AT RISK?

The National Center for Infectious Diseases and the Center for Disease Control recommend that during the RSV season, health care providers should consider RSV as a cause of acute respiratory disease in both children and adults.

RSV does not usually occur until a baby is 4 to 6 weeks old, but because premature babies are born before receiving all of the mother's immunities, they are more susceptible. Babies can also be re-infected with the virus. Babies with chronic lung disease are also at increased risk of developing RSV.

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS