Area seeing uptick in RSV infections
It’s bad enough that cold, flu, and COVID viruses are making the rounds right now, but there has also been an uptick in respiratory syncytial virus infections as well. My niece is a pediatric nurse practitioner in the emergency room at a large hospital in Eastern Washington. She said that she’s seeing many more RSV patients this year over last year. And, apparently, the same is true here.
RSV is a highly contagious disease that is common in children. It’s so common that the American Lung Association claims that almost all children have been infected with the virus by two. Although more commonly diagnosed in children, it can affect adults as well.
For most, the symptoms resemble a common cold. You know, runny nose, congestion, cough, wheezing, or fever. But for some, symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening. “RSV can cause a serious infection in the lungs among infants and adults with compromised immune systems,” ALA said.
The peak season for RSV is fall through spring, and infants are the high-risk group, with about five to twenty percent requiring hospitalization. Twenty-five to forty percent of these children will develop complications such as bronchiolitis (infected tiny airways swelling and filling with mucus making it difficult to breath) or pneumonia.
In the adult and elderly age groups, those with chronic conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure, COPD are at high risk. Also, people with immunodeficiency, such as organ transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients, or HIV/AIDS patients, are susceptible to severe symptoms.
Hospitalization is required for older adults if the RSV is severe enough to require oxygen or a ventilator to help breathing. Children who develop bronchiolitis may also need oxygen treatment. In addition, if the child cannot drink because of rapid breathing, they may need intravenous fluids to stay hydrated.
“People do not form long-lasting immunity to RSV and can become infected repeatedly over their lifetime,” ALA said. Although there has been research into developing a vaccine, there is not one yet available.
The Cleveland Clinic says that RSV is particularly contagious during the three- to seven-day period a person has symptoms. However, some infants and people with weakened immune systems may remain contagious for as long as four weeks,” they said.
“The virus is spread through close contact when an infected person sneezes or coughs, and the virus becomes airborne and gets into your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth. It’s also spread by touching objects on which the virus has landed and then touching your face. RSV can live on hard surfaces for many hours.”
The “ounce of prevention” includes keeping the infected person away from others. Anyone with cold-like symptoms should not interact with children, especially premature infants, children younger than two with chronic lung or heart conditions, and children with weakened immune symptoms.
And, although you hear this a hundred times a day, I’ll say it again, wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water whenever you touch any object that may have become contaminated – even doorknobs – before you touch your face. Wash your hands after changing a diaper. Wash your hands after touching someone with cold-like symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands. Also, avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils with others.”
RSV symptoms will abate after a week or two without treatment for most people. ALA says that you can use over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers to manage symptoms. But, of course, you know to never ever give a child aspirin, right?
“Check with your pediatrician if you are not sure if an over-the-counter product is safe to give to your child. Your doctor may also suggest nasal saline drops or suctioning to clear a stuffy nose,” ALA says.
In rare situations, high-risk infants may be prescribed monthly injections of a drug called Palivizumap during RSV season. Although not a cure, the medicine may help prevent recurring infections.
Kathy Hubbard is a member of the Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.
