General Information About RSV Infection
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
While it is an extremely innocent cold virus for adults that targets the respiratory tract, it is a contagious virus that inflames and blocks the finest air tubes (bronchioles) in the lungs of infants with underdeveloped immune systems.
The airways in babies' lungs are not even as thick as a straw yet. When the virus attacks these tubes, the cells there die, and a large amount of mucous fluid is secreted. Because the baby is too weak to cough out this fluid, the airways become completely blocked, they cannot breathe, and their blood oxygen drops rapidly (Acute Bronchiolitis).
RSV first begins with a runny nose, sneezing, and a mild fever for 2-3 days. However, when the virus descends into the lungs; symptoms such as very fast and rapid breathing, a whistling/wheezing sound from the chest when exhaling, stubborn and suffocating coughing fits, the spaces between the ribs caving in while breathing, and the inability to suckle/feed due to exhaustion occur.
Very high fever (39-40 degrees Celsius) is usually not seen in RSV; the main and most dangerous clinical picture is excessive secretion (mucus) production and mechanical shortness of breath. The disease is much more prominent with nasal congestion and the inability to breastfeed.
It spreads very quickly when droplets spread by coughing and sneezing stick to surfaces (tables, toys) and those surfaces are touched. Adults carry this virus merely complaining of a 'runny nose'. The greatest protection is: NEVER KISS newborn or small babies on the face or hands, and do not touch the baby without washing your hands with soap after coming from outside.
There is no known antibiotic treatment for RSV. Treatment is supportive. In mild cases, constantly cleaning the nose with saline (ocean water) and keeping it clear is sufficient.
Severe cases (babies who cannot feed and cannot breathe) are hospitalized. IV fluid support and Oxygen/Steam Therapy via mask are provided.
Preventive Vaccine: There is no RSV vaccine given to healthy, full-term babies. Only high-risk infants born prematurely or with congenital heart/lung disease are provided with a protective antibody injection (Palivizumab) free of charge by the Ministry of Health, administered once a month during the winter months.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
