EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Kids' Health
|
||||
|
The next time you go holiday shopping, close your eyes and listen to the people around you. There is a good chance you’ll hear plenty of coughing and sniffling, and the most likely culprit is a virus called Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). By the age of 2, nearly all children have caught it. It is the leading cause of serious respiratory infections in children and infants, with the peak season lasting from November to April. This highly contagious virus attacks the lining of the nose, throat, windpipe and air passages of the lungs. Symptoms usually appear within four days of exposure, and can last anywhere from one to three weeks. The virus can spread to others within the first two days, and can remain infectious on surfaces for several hours. In adults and healthy children over 3 years old, it causes cold symptoms, such as a sore throat, low-grade fever, runny nose, mild cough, and a general feeling of being ill. In children younger than 3, however, the infection can be more severe, sometimes causing inflammation of the air passages of the lungs (bronchiolitis), and pneumonia. RSV poses the greatest health risk to premature babies, infants younger than 6 months old, and children with chronic lung or heart disease. Children with weak immune systems, or those undergoing chemotherapy or transplantation, are also at increased risk. A higher rate of infection is noted among children attending day care and among those exposed to cigarette smoke or high levels of air pollution. Call your child’s doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: a fever above 101; difficulty breathing; poor appetite or cough lasting more than four days; a cough producing yellow or green phlegm; yellow or green nasal discharge; irritability; lethargy; or any case where you are worried about your child or have a question. The diagnosis of RSV is often based on the symptoms and time of year, but a doctor may test for the virus directly by collecting nasal secretions. In some cases a chest X-ray or blood test may be necessary. Most children with RSV recover readily, with plenty of fluids and rest. A cool-mist vaporizer may diminish irritation with breathing or coughing. Saline nasal drops and a bulb syringe help relieve nasal congestion in babies. Consider sitting your baby in the car seat, as an upright position may make breathing easier. Use non-aspirin over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen to treat a painful sore throat or to reduce fever in your child. Because RSV is a virus, antibiotics are not effective against it. Humidified oxygen and breathing treatments are administered to hospitalized children. Depending on the severity, an antiviral medication called ribavirin may be given. Although a vaccine is not yet available, high-risk babies may receive RespiGam or Synagis, which help prevent infection by providing temporary immunity against the virus. Frequent hand washing with warm water and soap is the key to preventing RSV. Help your child stay healthy by washing your hands before touching your baby and insisting that others do the same. Also, do not allow someone who is sick to touch, hold or kiss your baby. Avoid sharing cups, utensils or plates, and try to avoid crowded places during this peak shopping and entertaining season. Insist that people cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing (a mask may be helpful), and keep your baby away from tobacco smoke. If a sibling catches a cold, keep them away from the baby. Cleaning surfaces and toys and promptly disposing of used tissues may help limit the spread of the virus. Although RSV may be hard to prevent entirely, the next time you are out holiday shopping, remember to wash your hands when you get back. A virus is probably not on your list of gifts to bring home. Dr. Richelle K. Marracino is a family practice physician at the Jurupa Valley branch of the Riverside Medical Clinic. Information: 909.683.6370 or visit riversidemedicalclinic.com. For Letters: inlandempirefamily.com or go to: IEFmag@aol.com |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This ArticleSEARCH THE SITE
