RSV: What you need to know to get through it!
What is it? RSV, also known as Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a respiratory virus that usually causes cold like symptoms including cough, congestion, runny nose, sneezing and sometimes fever. Peak season is typically November through April, however, this is not the case this year! We have been seeing spikes of RSV right as children have started to gather again.
Florida Health: This figure shows the percentage of emergency room and urgent care visits with a discharge diagnosis of RSV in children under 5 years up to Weeks 23-24, June 6-June 19, 2021, compared to previous years
RSV is spread through respiratory droplets by sneezing or coughing. It can also spread through contact and can live on hard surfaces such as toys for hours. Most children have had RSV by the age of 2 years and children typically recover within 7-10 days with a lingering mild cough. Some children, especially those younger than one, can develop severe respiratory distress.
This respiratory distress can come when RSV spreads to the lower respiratory tract causing bronchiolitis or in some cases pneumonia. Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the small airway passages of the lungs. Signs of bronchiolitis include wheezing, rapid breathing, and/or severe cough. In severe cases you may notice your child is struggling to breath with increased belly breathing, muscles around the ribs pull in with each breath or skin tugging down in the space just between the clavicles. These are called retractions and are a sign that your child is having trouble breathing. This difficulty in breathing can also lead to dehydration so it’s important to monitor closely for wet diapers and fluid intake.
The diagnosis of RSV or bronchiolitis can be made primarily based on history and physical exam. Rapid testing is also available but not necessary.
What can you do?
Prevention is key but not always possible. Here are some tips for prevention:
🧴Wash hands often!
😷Stere clear of friends and family when they are sick!
🧼Clean surfaces in the home and toys often
🥤Don’t share drinks or utensils.
What do you do if your child has RSV?
🧊Lots of clear fluids
🤧Nasal suctioning and nose blowing
🍯Honey for cough in children over the age of 1
🌡Tylenol or Motrin for fever control
📱set up a visit with your House Calls for Kids provider!
🛑 signs of severe disease include:
Short shallow breathing
Poor feeding or signs of dehydration
Unusual tiredness
Inconsolability
If your child is showing any of these signs it’s important to get medical assistance right away. There are more interventions available for a child in severe respiratory distress in the emergency center/hospital setting. High flow oxygen, BiPAP, CPAP and in severe cases intubation (full respiratory help.)
Has RSV hit your household? What was your experience? Share your comments below.