Monthly Health Articles Archive

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

With the holidays and flu season behind us, it’s the time of year to focus on yet another health issue: RSV. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, known by most people as RSV, is a common and highly contagious infection that appears most often from fall to spring. This infection is most dangerous for babies – especially those born prematurely – that are under two years of age.

The cold-like symptoms of RSV, runny nose and fever, don’t tend to be much of a problem for adults or children over two, but for babies the infection is quite serious and can be life threatening. Each year 125,000 babies are hospitalized due to severe RSV infections. RSV can also cause long-term health problems such as asthma.

Typically RSV begins as a cold. But if you have a newborn baby, be on the lookout for the following symptoms: rapid breathing, gasping for breath, blue lips or mouth, wheezing or coughing.

Babies born prematurely and those born with chronic heart or lung disease are at special risk for RSV. Babies that have a low birth weight, have older siblings that attend daycare, or have a family history of asthma are also at a higher risk for getting RSV.

The best defense against RSV is to practice good prevention methods. Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before touching your baby. Avoid exposing your newborn to crowded areas such as shopping malls, daycare centers, buses or large family gatherings. Don’t smoke anywhere in the baby’s home. Tobacco smoke and other air pollutants can irritate your baby’s lungs and make it harder to fight RSV.

For more information about RSV, please contact Kossuth Regional Health Center at 515-295-2451.