RSV: Everything You Need to Know To Keep Your Loved Ones Healthy
Oh yes, this “forgotten virus” is back with a vengeance.
RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, is infecting people of all ages. Infants, children, select adults, and the elderly….not many are protected from RSV virus this winter.
This year, hospitals like the one I work at are seeing increased cases of viruses like influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, and of course COVID-19.
With all of the different viruses out there now, you’re probably wondering what makes RSV different from all the others. Many viruses can present with similar symptoms, but not all of them cause severe illness that results in hospitalization.
Unfortunately, RSV is one of the viruses that can cause severe illness.
Now more than ever, it is important to stay informed and educated about illnesses like RSV. In this article, I will go over the key points you need to know about RSV to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy this winter.
What is RSV?
As mentioned above, RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It is a virus that attacks the respiratory system. Infection with RSV can result in an upper respiratory infection such as bronchitis, but it can also cause a lower respiratory tract infection, which is more severe. Lower respiratory tract infections are illnesses like bronchiolitis, an infection of the lower airways, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.
RSV was first discovered in 1956 when scientists discovered it was causing bronchiolitis in chimpanzees. Since this discovery, RSV has been identified as a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children.¹
Now, this isn’t saying that RSV came from chimpanzees. This just means that this is the first time scientists collected a sample of RSV that grew in a lab. Documentation of illnesses like bronchiolitis were noted in humans well before these chimpanzees.
RSV spreads by droplets in the air or contact with these droplets on infected surfaces.²
RSV typically infects:³
Infants
Children
Immunocompromised adults
The elderly
It is most commonly seen in infants and children and is actually the number one cause of lower respiratory tract infections in this age group.
This virus is so common that almost 70% of infants get RSV in their first year of life. And by the time children are 2 years old, there is a 90% chance they will have been infected with RSV.⁴
While it typically results in cold-like symptoms, it can also affect the lungs and result in severe illness.
The Symptoms of RSV
Depending on which part of the respiratory tract is infected, the symptoms and illness severity will be different. Typically, those infected with RSV will have two to four days of upper respiratory symptoms followed by lower respiratory symptoms.²
Think of it like the virus is traveling down the respiratory tract.
When the upper respiratory tract is affected, you can expect symptoms such as:¹
Fever
Sore throat
Runny nose
Congestion
Once the virus reaches the lower respiratory tract, these symptoms could be present:¹
Persistent fever
Worsening cough
Increased rate of breathing and difficulty breathing
Blue lips (from decreased oxygen levels)
Wheezing
Increased heart rate
Not all of these symptoms are seen in children infected with RSV. Some children may just have mild cold-like symptoms, while others end up in the hospital.
So what makes someone have a higher risk of ending up in the hospital?
Who Is at Risk of Severe RSV Illness?
As mentioned above, about 90% of children less than two years old become infected with RSV. Not all children require hospitalization for RSV, but there are some factors that increase the risk of developing severe illness that requires a hospital stay:¹
Premature birth
Being less than three months old at time of infection
Children with a chronic lung disease
Children with a congenital heart disease
Children born with a compromised immune system
Neuromuscular disease
Dehydration
Infants born between 29 and 35 weeks gestation are at high risk for severe RSV. The virus can be so severe in this population that almost half of infants admitted to the hospital with RSV required ICU level of care, and 20% required intubation and a breathing machine.¹
The more premature the infant was at birth, the higher the risk is of requiring ICU level of care and intubation.
And it goes without saying that infants born with diseases that affect vitals organs and body systems like the heart, lungs, and immune system will also be at an increased risk of developing severe RSV.
If your child does get infected with RSV, and there’s a pretty good chance that is going to happen, they’re actually at a higher risk of developing childhood asthma. And later in life, those that develop childhood asthma, are at an increased risk of developing a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).⁴
Although the reason behind this isn’t completely understood, it is thought to be due to the lung injury that occurs during RSV infection.
And RSV not only can infect infants and children; it can also infect adults. Not all adults are at risk of catching RSV. It has been found that adults with compromised immune systems and the elderly are the ones at higher risk of getting RSV.³
So this begs the question…is there a way to prevent RSV? And in those that do get infected with RSV, how is it treated?
RSV Treatment and Prevention
For those children, adults, and elderly people that do get infected with RSV, there are some ways that healthcare professionals can help treat this virus.
It is important to note that when treating viruses like RSV, COVID-19, influenza, and the viruses that cause the common cold, sinus infections, and bronchitis, treatment options are limited and often fall under what we call supportive management.
This is because our primary way of treating infections is with antibiotics. However, viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics. Only bacteria can be treated with antibiotics.
So if you or your child has a mild to moderate case of RSV, the treatment options may include:¹
Over the counter cough medications
Medications to decrease fever like tylenol and ibuprofen
Over the counter medications for sore throat, runny nose, and congestion
Increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration
If you or your child is hospitalized with RSV, the treatment options may consist of:¹
Bronchodilator medications like albuterol
Supplemental oxygen to treat low oxygen levels
IV fluids to treat associated dehydration
Intubation and a breathing machine for their inability to breath on their own
Advances in the treatment of RSV continue to be made. Scientists are currently looking into the prevention of severe RSV infection by using antibodies. One of these monoclonal antibodies is called palivizumab.
Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-RSV antibody that is administered on a monthly basis to high-risk infants during RSV season. These antibodies help to strengthen the immune system to be able to fight off RSV when it enters the body. If the body is able to fight off the virus, then a full blown infection won’t develop.¹
High-risk infants who received palivizumab had a 55% lower risk of requiring hospitalization for RSV infection.¹
Scientists are also looking into the development of a vaccine for RSV. This vaccine would use the same science as the COVID-19 vaccine to strengthen the immune system. This vaccine is currently being studied in pregnant mothers, infants, and children.
Along with these scientific advancements and research, you can help decrease the spread of viruses like RSV by:
Wearing a surgical mask when you’re outside of your home
Washing your hands frequently
Regularly disinfecting surfaces in your home
Staying home if you or someone in your home is ill
Research about the treatment and prevention is ongoing. But until then, doing the things mentioned above can help keep you and your family safe.
When Will RSV Infection Slow Down?
Like other viruses, RSV thrives in the colder, winter months. You can probably expect this virus to die down in the early months of spring. If you want to read more about why virus infection rates go up so much in the winter months, check out my article.
And until the virus rates decrease, make sure you do your best to prevent the spread of the virus by implementing the methods mentioned above.
Make sure to check out some of my other articles to keep getting up-to-date, evidence-based information about health and wellness.
Stay informed, stay healthy.
Works cited
1. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection — (medscape.com)
2. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Children — (aafp.org)
3. The Future of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Prevention and Treatment — (nih.gov)
4. RSV Prevention in All Infants: Which Is the Most Preferable Strategy? — (nih.gov)
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