***What is RSV?***

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a virus that causes cold-like symptoms in most people, but can cause serious illness in young infants. Most infants who suffer serious complications from RSV are under 6 months old. It is also the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 12 months old.

What Are the Symptoms of RSV?

The symptoms of RSV are very similar to those of a cold in a child. They can include fever, runny nose, cough, and wheezing

How Is RSV Spread?

RSV is spread through contact and droplet transmission. Anyone who comes into contact with the nasal or oral secretions of someone infected with RSV can transmit it to themselves as a result.

What is the Treatment?

For most children, RSV causes only cold-like symptoms, so the treatment is no different than treating any other cold in a child.

For some people, especially young infants, RSV can cause difficulty breathing, and treatment may include oxygen therapy, breathing treatments or mechanical ventilation.

There is no vaccine against RSV, although researchers are hard at work trying to develop one. At this time, the best protection against RSV is good hand hygiene.

The best things to do to help prevent RSV in your infant:

Make sure anyone who touches your baby washes his/her hands first.

Keep your baby away from anyone who is sick, especially with cold symptoms or a fever.

Keep your baby away from crowds and large groups.

Keep your baby away from tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke.

Minimize participation in childcare during flu season whenever possible (for infants at high risk for RSV).

All household contacts and infants over six months old should get a flu shot as soon as they are available every year.

Other tips for preventing common illnesses, such as covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, may also help minimize the chance of catching or spreading RSV to those at highest risk.

There is an injection, called Synagis, available for very premature babies and other high-risk infants that helps boost a child's immune system. It is typically given monthly during flu season until the child reaches his second birthday. Although Synagis is not a vaccine, if your child is at very high risk for RSV, your doctor may discuss this option with you.