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Posted by Tammy on January 17, 2003 at 11:12:44:
In Reply to: Re: RSV!! Yikes! posted by Beth S. on January 17, 2003 at 09:37:30:
: Yes it is contagious...very contagious. It is passed by coughing, sneezing or (like my DH), letting your little one put his hands in your mouth!! I could die when I see him doing that! The best protection is to wash, wash, wash those hands before handling your little one! It also helps if you can get everyone to stop grabbing your child's hands! I don't know why people feel that is okay! The first thing my son does is put his hands in his mouth afterwards! Of course, wash their toys often, especially if another child plays with them! : Take care! RSV Is a Concern for Young Children It’s the time of year that every parent of young children dreads—respiratory virus season. This is especially of concern with children under age two who are susceptible to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Children with RSV experience symptoms similar to asthma. They wheeze, making a high-pitched whistling sound when they breathe. The wheezing is caused by narrowing of the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs. A child with RSV will also cough and may cough up sticky mucus. These symptoms may be preceded by a fever and runny nose. RSV lasts approximately 7 days and the cough about 14 days. RSV occurs in epidemics almost every winter. While infants with RSV develop bronchiolitis, children over age 2 years and adults only develop cold symptoms. The virus is spread through sneezing and coughing. People do not develop permanent immunity to the virus, which means that they can be infected by it many times. The most common complication of RSV and bronchiolitis is an ear infection. However 1-2% of children are hospitalized because they need oxygen or intravenous fluids. In addition, approximately 30% of the children who develop bronchiolitis later develop asthma. If your child contracts RSV, you can make him/her more comfortable by giving him/her warm liquids, which help relax the airway and loosen secretions. Breathing warm, moist air also helps, although you should avoid using steam vaporizers because they can cause burns. Some children may require asthma-type medicines prescribed by your physician. Tobacco smoke aggravates coughing. Children with RSV are much more likely to wheeze if they are exposed to tobacco smoke, so do not let anyone smoke around your child. In fact, try not to let anybody smoke inside your home. While most children with an RSV infection can be treated at home, call your child’s physician immediately if his/her breathing becomes labored or difficult or the wheezing becomes severe. You should also call your child’s physician if the fever lasts more than 3 days, the cough lasts more than 3 weeks, or you have other questions or concerns.
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By Julie A. Roehrborn, MD