Healthcare providers across the U.S. are beginning to see a rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) numbers as Cold and Flu season begins. The respiratory virus causes mild, cold-like symptoms, and most people recover in about a week; however, RSV can be a danger to infants and young children. It causes respiratory illness in the nose, throat, and lungs. Early signs include a runny nose, fever, congestion, sneezing, decrease in appetite, and coughing or wheezing.
According to Dr. Matt Browning Chief Medical Officer for Urgent Team Family of Urgent Care & Walk-in Centers, infants 12 weeks and younger, premature infants, infants with heart defects, infants with weak immune symptoms, low birth weight, and infants with exposure to secondhand smoke are all at high risk of RSV.
RSV prevention is very similar to most cold and flu prevention practices. Browning encourages people to cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, avoid sick people, wash hands regularly, avoid close contact with others, clean high-contact areas, and limit time in contagious settings during the RSV season.
If you or a loved one does contract RSV make sure you are taking the right steps to prevent the spread to friends and family. Over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers along with drinking lots of liquids should help relieve your symptoms.