Respiratory Virus Season Is Coming Warns Doctors

Doctors have been diligent warning parents that RSV season is coming.

Respiratory syncytial virus, otherwise known as RSV, isn’t a new virus. Doctor’s have seen it before. The virus has returned and in some cases, a particularly strong strain of the virus can be deadly.

The Mayo Clinic has stated that any individual residing in the U.S.A and is 2 years or older, at some time was inflicted with the virus, but it is quite possible they were unaware of it.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said the severity and timing of RSV season will hit can change each year.

This year it there is a particularly bad strain of the virus, especially for children.

RSV was discovered in 1956. If somebody is inflicted with it, the symptoms mimic those of a common cold. In most individuals, the Centers For Disease Control states resolves in one to two weeks.

Respiratory Syncytial virus causes the individual to have infections of the respiratory tract and lungs. Most children have had the RSV before they were 2 years old. However, adults can also be infected by the virus the Mayo Clinic reported.

Doctors have warned that during the respiratory virus season, in elderly individuals, babies, and young children it can be deadly.

In the United States, about 57,000 children 5-year-old or younger become hospitalized because of this infection each year according to the CDC. They also report that most people recover from the disease. However, if a child is immune compromised, or has a lot of mucus their lungs can fill up quickly with fluid and they could die. The child would drown from the fluids that have gathered in their lungs.

The people who are at the most risk for a severe case of RSV include premature babies, children who are younger than 6 months, children who have chronic heart disease or were diagnosed with chronic lung disease, children whose immune system is compromised and those children who suffer from neuromuscular disorders such as disease whose symptoms include difficulty clearing mucus or swallowing.

The Mayo Clinic reports RSV is the primary cause of pneumonia and bronchitis in children 1 year old or younger. It is also a major cause of respiratory diseases in the elderly.

The symptoms of the RSV are similar for adults and children. These symptoms can include a low-grade fever, sore throat, stuffed up or a runny nose, dry cough, and mild headache. If the case is severe, the virus can spread the respiratory system causing bronchitis or pneumonia. The symptoms are more drastic which can include a severe cough, wheezing, fever and difficulty breathing.

It is also possible that there will be a drop in oxygen. If the level drops, the skin can turn blue and there would be difficulty breathing.

If the patient is a child, the parent may see the skin and chest muscles pull inward as the child breathes which is due to difficulty breathing.

Infants may have a cough, unsual irritability or tiredness, poor feeding and in severe cases rapid breathing.

There is no vaccine or treatment for RSV.

Doctors are telling patients that since Respiratory Virus Season is coming, be diligent and seek medical attention if needed.

Written By Barbara Sobel

Sources:

ABC News: Doctors warn parents as peak season approaches for dangerous respiratory virus
KWTX News: Respiratory virus is making a comeback, can be deadly
Forbes: Peak RSV Season Is Almost Here, How To Protect Against This Respiratory Virus

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