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RSV - RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS
What is RSV?
RSV is a virus that causes many cases of the common cold and other respiratory infections, like pneumonia. RSV is a common infection of children and adults. RSV circulates in a seasonal manner, usually peaking during late fall and early winter. For most children, the symptoms are just those of a cold. For some, the infection leads to more serious problems such as an ear infection, bronchiolitis (wheezing from narrowed small airways in the lungs) or pneumonia. Very young infants may become irritable, feed poorly and have little interest in their surroundings when they are sick with RSV. It can be very serious for the elderly.
Children with conditions that weaken their immune system or those with heart or lung problems may have great difficulty when they are infected with RSV.
How is RSV spread?
RSV spreads by direct or close contact with respiratory droplets, drool or secretions from the mouth or nose. RSV can live on surfaces for many hours and for 30 minutes or more on hands. Once the virus enters the body, it may take from 2-8 days for symptoms to develop; 4 to 6 days is most common. Before symptoms appear, the infected person starts to shed virus that may infect others.
How long are people with RSV contagious?
Infected individuals shed the virus for 3-8 days, but young infants may shed the virus for as long as 3-4 weeks. Cough may last as long as 3 weeks.
What can parents and childcare providers do?
• Practice good hygiene/handwashing routines in all settings, especially during fall, winter, and early spring when infections are more common.
• Prevent contact with respiratory secretions.
• Sanitize commonly touched surfaces in contact with respiratory secretions and hands of children and adults.
• Ensure adequate ventilation – CFOC Online Standards 5.2.1 Ventilation, Heating, Cooling, and Hot Water, 5.2.1.1: Ensuring Access to Fresh Air Indoors
• Promote breastfeeding, which helps protect infants from RSV.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or their upper sleeve.
• Observe for signs of rapid or labored breathing or cyanotic (blue lips/mouth/nails) episodes; immediately refer child with those symptoms to a health professional.
• For More Information see RSV: When It's More Than Just a Cold at healthychildren.org, PA Department of Health, Health Alert Network Updates: 2022-HAN, What You Should Know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Information for Child Care Providers, What Child Care Providers Should Know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
References: CFOC Online Standards Database accessed 11-16-2022, Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide, 5th ed, 2020, RSV: When It's More Than Just a Cold at healthychildren.org and PA Department of Health, Health Alert Network Updates: 2022-HAN
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