Louisianians are particularly susceptible to catching RSV
17th November 2014 · 0 Comments
By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer
As we are on alert for the peak of flu season, parents should also be aware of the possibility of the seasonal sniffles affecting little ones to be more than the common cold. It is critical that parents understand the preventive steps they can take to protect their child from the Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
RSV is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. It can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air. Coughing and sneezing send virus-containing droplets into the air, where they can infect a person if they inhale these droplets or these droplets come in contact with their mouth, nose, or eye.
Infection can also result from direct and indirect contact with nasal or oral secretions from infected persons. Direct contact with the virus can occur, for example, by kissing the face of a child with RSV. Indirect contact can occur if the virus gets on an environmental surface, such as a doorknob, that is then touched by other people. Direct and indirect transmissions of virus usually occur when people touch an infectious secretion and then rub their eyes or nose.
The illness is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in children under 1 year of age in the United States. Each year, 75,000 to 125,000 children in this age group are hospitalized due to RSV infection; making it the main cause of hospitalization in infants.
“RSV is considered by many to be the most commonly passed on viral illness of childhood,” says Dr. Stephen Levine, RSV expert at Children’s Hospital. “At one point, it was published that at the end of two years of life, if you knew how to look for it, you find history of exposure to RSV in almost everyone; whether they were sick or not. “
“It’s a very common respiratory virus; it is usually in what’s called epidemic form.” Dr. Levine adds.
In south Louisiana and the majority of the country, this spans from the months of September-October through March and possibly into April. This can vary by geography and year-to-year.
According to the Center for Disease Control, Louisiana has risen to an epidemic level of 15 percent for the RSV.
While every baby is at risk of contracting RSV, babies born prematurely (earlier than 37 weeks gestation) – are at increased risk for developing severe RSV disease. Babies born prematurely are vulnerable to severe RSV disease because they were born before their lungs and respiratory system could fully develop. Interrupted lung development results in weaker lungs that may not be able to fight infection.
Also, people with disordered lung architecture are especially at risk.
“Being that is a virus, there’s no treatment, other than supportive treatment. Up until the discovery of a passive vaccine, about 5000 infants’ deaths took place yearly.” Dr. Levine told The Louisiana Weekly.
Often mistaken as the common cold or flu, RSV is responsible for approximately eight times more infant deaths each year than the flu.
According to the CDC, a person with an RSV infection might cough, sneeze, fever, and decrease in appetite. Wheezing may also occur. Most otherwise healthy infants infected with RSV do not need to be hospitalized. In most cases, even among those who need to be hospitalized, hospitalization usually last a few days, and recovery from illness usually occurs in about one to two weeks.
“It also starts as a runny nose and a cold,” Dr. Levine states. “Then you’ll notice your child is breathing heavier-an increased respiratory rate; working harder to breathe. If they’re very young, and can’t breathe effectively through their mouth, they may stop eating (and turn the bottle away) which can increase the risk of dehydration, as well as a pulmonary problem.”
There is a vaccine for RSV, but it not a vaccine that is preventative. It is passive immunization, according to Dr. Levine.
“There’s been work on a vaccine against RSV for many years,” he says. “ But unfortunately nothing of yet has been successful.”
Through passive immunization, an antibody is injected once a month within 28 days during RSV season to those who are at essentially risk and with whom it is indicated.
According to the CDC, there are steps that can be taken to help prevent the spread of RSV. Specifically, people who have cold-like symptoms should:
• Cover their coughs and sneezes
• Wash their hands frequently and correctly (with soap and water for 15–20 seconds)
• Avoid sharing their cups and eating utensils with others
• Refrain from kissing others
If your child is at high risk for severe RSV disease, talk to your healthcare provider regarding available preventive measures.
This article originally published in the November 17, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
