1. RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV)
BY: NICOLE STEVENS

2. Definition
RSV is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in neonates and especially those in high risk groups.
Most infants will have had this infection by the age of 2
Outbreaks usually begin in autumn and end in spring

3. Transmission
Spread via droplets from the nose/mouth from coughing, sneezing or off surfaces
You can catch it if you:
Touch, kiss or shake hands with someone who has RSV
Are sneezed or coughed on
Touch you nose, eyes or mouth after you have touched a contaminated surface
Can live for half an hour or more on hands and hours on surfaces and tissues

4. Risk Factors Attending child care Being near cigarette smoke
Having school aged siblings
Living in crowded conditions

5. Treatment Antibiotics don’t work
Mild infections will go away without treatment
Severe cases may require hospitalisation
Treatment may include:
Oxygen PRN
IV fluids
Respiratory support as required

6. Prognosis
Rarely causes death, but risks are increased in the following infants:
Premature
Those with chronic lung disease
Those with depressed immune systems
Those with certain forms of heart disease

7. Prevention Hand hygiene, hand hygiene and hand hygiene
Avoid contact between older siblings and neonates
Avoid contact between anyone who has a cold and neonates
Don’t smoke inside
Avoided crowded areas if you have a high risk infant with you
Vaccination (palivizumab) for high risk infants who are less than 24 months of age.