Respiratory Synctial Virus Infection

About Respiratory Synctial Virus Infection: 

• RSV, which typically causes cold-like symptoms, is a leading cause of severe infection and death in babies and older adults. 
• Symptoms: They include, Runny nose, Decrease in appetite and Cough etc.
• Transmission: RSV spreads from person to person through
  • The air by coughing and sneezing;
  • Direct contact, such as kissing the face of a child who has RSV;
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands;
• Premature infants, babies younger than 6 months old, people above age 65 and people who have a compromised immune system, chronic lung disease or congenital heart condition can get a more severe case of RSV.
• People who have an RSV infection are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days. But sometimes infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for as long as 4 weeks.
• A severe infection leads to pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Q1: What is Bronchiolitis?

It is a common lung infection in young children and infants. It causes swelling and irritation and a buildup of mucus in the small airways of the lung. These small airways are called bronchioles. Bronchiolitis is almost always caused by a virus.

Source: WHO recommends maternal vaccine and antibody shot to prevent RSV in infants