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Respiratory Syncytial Virus also known as RSV

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus also known as RSV

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is classified as a member of the genus Pneumovirus in the family Paramyxoviridae.

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A helpful understanding of the virus.
This is an enveloped virus. The viral genome consists of a linear, single- stranded, negative-sense, nonsegmented RNA

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A more colorful microscopic picture of RSV.  Virus particles are enveloped and pleomorphic, occurring as irregular spherical particles that are 100 to 350 nm in diameter, and as long filamentous fibres that are 60 to 200 nm in diameter and 10 mm in length

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In Mississippi, the season for RSV (when virus numbers increase) is October to March.  RSV seasons may vary in different parts of the country.

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The virus ususually lasts around 7 days.  The peak (worst) of the virus is usually day 4.

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Most sick folks (especially kids) get a lower grade fever, a severe cough, and a super snotty nose from the increased mucus. The mucus produced is much stickier and thicker than usual mucus, so health care professionals usually see increased respiratory rates, increased heart rates, decreased appetites because eating and drinking is too difficult. Decreased energy levels because they can't breath. These patients are usually sleepy and SUPER irritable because they can't rest well because breathing is too hard.

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This is a VIRUS so it must run its course.  Treating the symptoms is all that can be done. Babies are nose breathers, so keeping the nose suctioned out is key.  Provide oxygen if needed to help decrease work of breathing or if the oxygen saturations are lower than the doctor finds acceptable.  IV fluids may be needed if the patient can't eat or drink well.

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RSV is as contagious as the common cold but can be devastating to children that 3 and under, older folks and people that have a decreased immune system from things like cancer, autoimmune diseases etc.

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The best prevention is good hand hygiene or hand washing. Next, try to stay away from infected people (at least, don't get in their faces). Babies need to have limited physical contact with people.

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RSV is spread by droplets, from boogers (mucus) and spit (saliva) from infected kids/people. So during holiday get-togethers don't pass around the new baby to everyone and their mother (you are exposing the baby to everything the adults have). Babies don't have any antibodies yet to fight this virus.....so the "little runny nose" that Aunt Bessie has could turn into something nasty for a baby.

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DO NOT give antibiotics!!!!! RSV is a virus SO antibiotics  won't help.  DO NOT GIVE ALBUTEROL treatments, the wheezing you hear in the lungs is actually from mucus in the airways NOT  from airway constriction which is treated with Albuterol.  Albuterol given to RSV patients usually makes their respiratory rates and heart rates higher (effect of the medicine) and thus makes patients feel worse.