呼吸道合胞体病毒

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a viral organism that can cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections. It most commonly causesbronchiolitis(inflammation of the lower airways) andpneumoniain children and infants under the age of 1.

In the United States, RSV is more common during the winter and spring months. For most children and infants, RSV is a virus that can be managed on an outpatient basis. However, about 0.5 to 2 percent of children and infants who develop RSV may require hospitalization. The disease usually runs its course in one to two weeks. Children who are at risk for developing more severe cases or RSV include the following:

  • children/infants younger than 1 year, particularly those between 6 weeks and 6 months
  • premature infants
  • children/infants with breathing or heart problems
  • children/infants with weakened immune systems
  • children/infants with weakened immune systems

How is RSV transmitted?

RSV transmission occurs by coming in contact with infectious material either from another individual or inanimate object. The secretions from the eye, mouth, nose, and possibly from a sneeze contain the virus. The virus can also survive for many hours on inanimate objects such as doorknobs, hard surfaces, and toys. It can also live on human hands for up to 30 minutes.

If my child has RSV, how long will he or she be contagious?

After being exposed to the virus, symptoms may not appear for four to six days. An individual with RSV is usually contagious for three to eight days, although this may be longer in younger children.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

These are the most common symptoms of RSV infections. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.

  • lethargy and inactivity
  • irritability
  • poor feeding
  • episodes of apnea (more common in infants; an event where an infant may not take a breath for longer than 10 seconds)
  • nasal discharge that is usually clear
  • fever
  • wheezing (a high-pitched sound usually heard on inspiration, breathing in)
  • rapid breathing
  • cough
  • retractions (pulling in) of the chest wall
  • nasal flaring
  • rattling in the chest that may be felt over an infant's back or chest

How we approach RSV

A study of children age 7 and younger coming to ourEmergency Departmentwith acute respiratory illnesses found that those infected with RSV had more than twice as many emergency department visits and six times more hospitalizations than those with seasonal flu.

We encourage parents to focus on the prevention of RSV by recommending handwashing, alcohol-based hand-sanitizers, and simply staying home when sick. Learn more about the flu — whetherseasonal flu, RSV, or H1N1.

If your child is here being treated for RSV, our healthcare workers will wear special isolation apparel such as gowns and gloves when they enter your child's room.