Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.
And this is proving the case, as there has been a surge in cases among Irish tots in recent weeks.
Now, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has issued a reminder and helpful guide with some key signs and symptoms to watch out for.
They said: "RSV causes coughs and colds every winter and is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) in infants. RSV also causes pneumonia (lung infection). RSV is an important cause of severe respiratory illness among children under 2 years of age and is also the most common cause of hospital admissions due to acute respiratory illness in young children."
RSV Symptoms
Symptoms can appear between 2 to 8 days after a person is infected and include the following:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough and sometimes croup (a barking cough caused by inflammation of the upper airways)
- Wheezing
- Decreased appetite
- Ear infections (in children)
The HPSC say: "Lower respiratory tract infection, such as pneumonia or pneumonitis, are most likely to occur during a child's first infection with RSV and may develop in 30-70% of first infections.
"In very young infants, irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties may be the only symptoms of infection.
How to treat RSV
There is no specific treatment other than treatment of symptoms - i.e. paracetamol to reduce temperature is necessary for children with mild illness. Children with severe respiratory illness will require hospitalisation and oxygen therapy, say the HPSC.
How to stop the spread of RSV
Frequent, careful handwashing is the most important measure in preventing the spread of RSV.
