3-2-10

RSV in Children

RSV is a respiratory virus that looks and sounds like a cold.  But in babies it can become much more serious and often requires hospitalization.

RSV or respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory infection in some groups of individuals.  Dr. Tracy Lower, associate professor of pediatrics at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains that young children and infants are most likely to be seriously affected by RSV.

SOUND BITE: “Children who are especially prone to getting serious infection are those kids who are born too early, who have immature lungs or who have heart problems.  Then they may be more prone to more serious infection where they have to go back into the hospital or even into the intensive care unit.” 

Dr. Lower says RSV tends to occur in the winter months, November through March.  It is spread by coughing and sneezing and human contact.  It is not debilitating to healthy adults, but it is very serious in babies.

SOUND BITE:   “. . . it really can look like a lot of viruses, with the sneezing, runny nose, cough.  RSV may cause a little bit more wheezing than other viruses do.  But unlike the flu, there isn’t usually the heavy muscle aches and head aches, although older people may get a little bit of headache with RSV.” 

Dr. Lower urges parents to practice good hand washing to help protect babies from the virus.  She says if an infant is having trouble catching their breath or if the child can’t suck on a bottle and take a breath at the same time, parents should contact their pediatrician or go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.