Health
Raising awareness for RSV What you need to know with cases on the rise BY ROSE GREEN-FLORES
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is typically a winter respiratory virus, but many areas of the United States saw cases rise over the summer. Health experts are hoping to raise awareness about this virus so parents, health care personnel and staff at child care and long-term care facilities can respond appropriately. RSV presents with symptoms similar to a cold, and most who get an infection will experience a mild illness that lasts for one to two weeks. “RSV is common, and almost all children will have an RSV infection by age 2,” said Virginia Nagy, M.D., a family medicine physician at Lake Regional Clinic – Eldon. “But RSV can be severe for infants, older adults, people with lung or heart disease, or people who are immunocompromised, so it is important to know when to seek immediate medical attention.”
Symptoms and Care RSV spreads through direct exposure to infected respiratory droplets. This can occur when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you. It also can spread if you touch an infected surface and then touch your face before washing your hands. People with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days. Symptoms typically appear within four to six days of infection and usually include: h Runny nose h Decrease in appetite h Coughing
RSV spreads through direct exposure to infected respiratory droplets and can have symptoms similar to COVID-19 or the common cold. GETTY IMAGES
h Sneezing h Fever h Wheezing “For young infants, symptoms may include breathing diffi culties, fatigue and poor feeding,” Dr. Nagy said. “Always seek immediate medical attention if you or your child are experiencing diffi culty breathing, severe cough, or blu-
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ish color to tongue, lips or skin from a lack of oxygen. RSV can sometimes lead to serious conditions, such as pneumonia.” Medical providers can diagnose RSV through a physical exam or by a nasal swab test. Because symptoms overlap with COVID-19, providers might also want to test for COVID-19.
