Are YOU Prepared for RSV Season?

RSV is a virus. It’s spread by respiratory droplets (aka saliva, sneezing, runny nose). It can live on the surface of counters or door knobs and it is extremely contagious. Those who have RSV are most contagious at day 3-8 of the illness. It cannot be treated with antibiotics because it is a virus. Infants and toddlers (especially premature or with heart or lung disease) are most at risk for severe disease. Washing your hands and surfaces can help prevent this illness.

8 Signs Your Child Is Having a Hard Time Breathing

1. Sweating

2. Barking cough

3. Noisy breathing with inhaling and exhaling.

4. Head bobbing

5.Chect indenting inward

6.nasal flaring

7.Irritable and not eating or drinking.

8.Grunting

Treatment Options:

1.Supportive care (hydrate and rest)

2.Rest and treat fever with tylenol and ibuprofen

3.Humidification (like a steamy shower)

4.Medications can be used depending on how severe the symptoms are.

5.Steriods can help with inflammation and swelling.

6.Racemic epi (nebuliser) is very useful and more immediate (this is usually given at the ER or a medical office

7.Ribavirin (antiviral) can be given in the hospital if the patient is immunocompromised and with severe symptoms