Home > Diseases and Conditions > Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)Print
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV; Palivizumab; Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin
Last reviewed: January 24, 2011.

Respiratory syncytial virus (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 young babies, especially to those in certain high-risk groups.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors

RSV is the most common germ that causes lung and airway infections in infants and young children. Most infants have had this infection by age 2. Outbreaks of RSV infections most often begin in the fall and run into the spring.
The infection can occur in people of all ages. The virus spreads through tiny droplets that go into the air when a sick person blows their nose, coughs, or sneezes.
You can catch RSV if:
A person with RSV sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you
You touch, kiss, or shake hands with someone who is infected by the virus
You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contamined by the virus, such as a toy or doorknob.
RSV often spreads very rapidly in crowded households and day care centers. The virus can live for a half an hour or more on hands. The virus can also live for up to 5 hours on countertops and for several hours on used tissues.
The following increase the risk for RSV:
Attending day care
Being near tobacco smoke
Having school-aged brothers or sisters
Living in crowded conditions
Symptoms

Symptoms vary and differ with age. They usually appear 4 - 6 days after coming in contact with the virus.
Older children usually have only mild, cold-like symptoms, such as cough, stuffy nose, or low-grade fever.
Infants under age 1 may have more severe symptoms and often have the most trouble breathing.
In general, RSV symptoms include:
Bluish skin color due to a lack of oxygen (cyanosis)
Breathing difficulty or labored breathing
Cough

Croupy cough (often described as a "seal bark" cough)
Fever

Nasal flaring

Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
Shortness of breath
Stuffy nose

Wheezing

Signs and tests

Many hospitals and clinics can rapidly test for RSV using a sample of fluid taken from the nose with a cotton swab.
Treatment

Antibiotics do not treat RSV.
Mild infections go away without treatment.
Infants and children with a severe RSV infection may be admitted to the hospital . Treatment will include:
Oxygen
Moist (humidified) air
Fluids through a vein (by IV)
A breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed.
Expectations (prognosis)

Rarely, RSV infection can cause death in infants. However, this is unlikely if the child is seen by a health care provider in the early stages of the disease .
More severe RSV disease may occur in the following infants:
Premature infants
Infants with chronic lung disease
Infants whose immune system does not work well
Infants with certain forms of heart disease
Complications

In young children, RSV can cause:
Bronchiolitis

Croup

Ear infections

Lung failure
Pneumonia

Children who have had RSV bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma.
Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if breathing difficulties or other symptoms of this disorder appear. Any breathing difficulties in an infant are an emergency. Seek medical attention right away.
Prevention

A simple way to help prevent RSV infection is to wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby. It is important to make certain that other people, especially caregivers, take steps to avoid giving RSV to your baby.
The following simple steps can help protect your baby from getting sick:
Insist that others wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching your baby.
Have others avoid contact with the baby if they have a cold or fever. If necessary, have them wear a mask.
Be aware that kissing the baby can spread RSV infection.
Try to keep young children away from your baby.

Hi Lani, Thank you so so much.. I am absolutely interested!!!! Thank you so much I really appreciate it... let me know what I can do to make this happen... :-)

Hi Lani...I've been reading the thread about demos very closely.  I'm currently in the market to have my demo re-done, on the advice of a former coach and others on the forums.  I think I fell into that horrible trap of listening to someone who told me I was ready far before I really was. After a year of taking coaching and doing lots of studying/interacting with VO peeps (in addition to my over 40 years of acting experience), I think I'm ready to have a better demo produced.  I couldn't tell from your information, but are you in the business of demo production?  Or can you recommend someone who is?  I usually go into LA for VO work, classes, and/or coaching (or do it via phone), but I could also go into the San Diego area as well.  Thanks for any information you can provide.  Lynne Ennis (951) 452-9455

Dear Lani,

Have an absolutely wonderful day celebrating you and all your creative wonder... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Cheers,

David

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, pretty lady!  Hope it's a great one!

 

Penny

Hi my name is Rosalyn and i was reading on the Ask a casting director, and saw that you were thinking of coaching again....I would love the opportunity to train under you...is there a way to do a one on one?

Hey Lani, I just read your advice on home studio's, thanks so much for posting that! I'm a beginner so I found it very helpful. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your demo's. You are awesome!

Hey stranger! I hope all is well. Just wanted to stop by and wish you the best possible birthday EVER....until NEXT year!

Stay in touch!

--Jay