Question 1

whats is rsv?

Accepted Answer

RSV: It's respiratory syncytial virus. It can cause upper respiratory infection in adults and can cause brochiolitis or even pneumonia in young children.

Question 2

what exactly is rsv?

Accepted Answer

A virus: Respiratory syncitial virus---this is a common virus that is most prevalent in the spring and fall and usually affect children.  It is of more concern with the very small infant or the infant or child with underlying medical problems usually respiratory in nature (asthma).  It causes swelling, mucous and constriction of the small airways and can be a real threat to health or can be a major nuiassa.

Question 3

how long does rsv last?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Depending upon the type of infection (otitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, etc.), and the immune status of the patient the duration of illness can be highly variable.  This is also dependent upon the age, since this is increasingly recognized as a disease of adults as well as children.  In symptomatic persons with mild disease a week to 10 days would seem reasonable.

Question 4

how can rsv be transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Droplet or debris: The virus of RSV is in the airway secretions of symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers. It can be transmitted thru inhaled airborn droplets or debris rubbed near oral or ocular tissue.In season many relatively asymptomatic adults will spread the infection as well as kids at home/day care or school. Groups of christmas shoppers, or holiday revelers are also great reservoirs of the germ.

Question 5

how long do rsv symptoms last?

Accepted Answer

Depends-age/status: Rsv related illness develops within 2-8 days of exposure & may result in minor infection localized to the nose & upper airway or cause significant problems in some move if it moves to the lower airway.The process evolves over a week, with most hospitalized infants saying less than 5 days.Those with lower airway problems ( bronchiolitis) often cough & wheeze for weeks after the germ is gone.

Question 6

what is and how do you get rsv?

Accepted Answer

Paramyxovirus: This relative of measles can only be transmitted from human to human thru respiratory secretions, often more by droplets on hands than by inhalation.  It usually infects children less than 2 yrs. Old, and most develop symptoms.  It can produce pneumonia with occasionally severe effects on breathing and require hospitalization.  The incubation period is about 5 days from exposure.

Question 7

what are rsv symptoms in a child?

Accepted Answer

Similar to bad cold: Rsv usually causes the same symptoms as a bad cold, such as:
cough; stuffy or runny nose; a mild sore throat; earache; fever.

Babies with RSV may also have no energy; act fussy or cranky; be less hungry than usual.

Some children have more serious symptoms, like wheezing and respiratory distress which can lower the level of oxygen in the blood.  These symptoms require emergent evaluation!

Question 8

how long does rsv generally last?

Accepted Answer

Depends-age/status: Rsv related illness develops within 2-8 days of exposure & may result in minor infection localized to the nose & upper airway or cause significant problems in some move if it moves to the lower airway.The process evolves over a week, with most hospitalized infants saying less than 5 days.Those with lower airway problems ( bronchiolitis) often cough & wheeze for weeks after the germ is gone.

Question 9

how long does rsv live on surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Several hours: Rsv can survive on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails for many hours. It also lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time. People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days after the onset of symptoms. Frequent hand washing & meticulous attention to cleaning of surfaces in the room of an RSV infected person can prevent transmission to others.

Question 10

how does rsv cause disease in baby?

Accepted Answer

RSV: In most infants, RSV manifests as a non-specific viral uri. A proportion of infants  progress to lower respiratory disease caused by inflammatory shedding of damaged cells into the lumen of the rspiratory tact and edema resulting in creased resistance to airflow. The pt will have cough , wheezing, and increased work of breathing . Some pts need oxygen, IV fluids and deep suctioniing.

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