Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Children and Adult

Did you know that seniors, infants, and people with underlying autoimmune conditions are the most vulnerable to RSV? The respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus causes mild flu-like symptoms, and you can recover within two weeks. However, the respiratory system viral infection may also cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis-inflammation of small lung airways in young babies under the age of one year. At our emergency care in Houston, we diagnose RSV and provide immediate treatment.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection Symptoms

You can easily identify RSV symptoms within the first 4-6 days for you and your child. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Coughing and wheezing
• Runny nose
• Lowered appetite
• Fever
• Sneezing and fussiness
• Sore throat and irritability

Young infants may become inactive and find difficulty in breathing. Failure to visit the emergency room near you on time may lead to the progression of the infection, posing a risk of developing other severe conditions like bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and others.

How Does It Spread, and Who Is at Risk of Being Infected?

If you have RSV infection, you’re likely to spread it at the early stages within 3-8 days. However, if you have a weakened immune, you may spread it for up to four weeks. The infection is spread via the mucosal membrane. Therefore, you’ll likely be infected if you hold surfaces with the virus and touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Anyone can be infected with RSV, and those at high risk of having RSV infection include:

• Young infants under the age of 6 months
• Seniors over the age of 65 years
• Patients with autoimmune diseases
• People with underlying medical conditions

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Diagnosis

At our ER in Houston, we use specialized equipment to diagnose RSV. During your appointment, we will examine your medical history and prevalent symptoms and do a physical exam and a lab test on nasal fluid or respiratory specimens. Our specialists also examine complications associated with a respiratory infection. In addition, we may incorporate chest X-rays, urine, or blood tests.

Treatment and Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) infection

RSV has no specific treatment plan, and the infection fades within one or two weeks. However, at our emergency care in Houston, we recommend you take OTC pain relievers to alleviate pain and fever. Our experts advise you to avoid giving your child aspirin or medication not approved for young infants. You and your child need to remain hydrated. You can prevent RSV and minimize the risk of infection by following various preventive measures. At our ER in Houston, we recommend you observe the following:

• Remain in isolation to prevent the spread or contact with an infected person
• Wash or disinfect your hands regularly
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth, or face since the virus enters the system via the mucosal membrane.
• Disinfect surfaces regularly
• Cover your sneezes and coughs and dispose the tissue you’ve used
• Avoid close contact with an infected person(s)

Medication is ideal for high-risk infants or seniors born prematurely or with heart disease, respectively. You can undergo periodic injections to manage RSV infection if you have an underlying chronic illness. If your health condition is severe, you need to visit the emergency room near you for advanced treatment options.

Visit Our ER in Houston

RSV is one of the common causes of inflammation of the small lung airways, pneumonia, and other respiratory tract infections. The infection may occur once in most children under the age of two years. You need to visit your medical practitioner if you or your child have flu-like symptoms.

At Ascent Emergency Room, we diagnose RSV in seniors and children. You don’t need to visit an emergency room for treatment, but if you and your child have underlying health issues, our specialists recommend you undergo a thorough examination.

We also recommend you bring your child to our ER, especially if they were born prematurely, to avoid the risk of the viral infection. In addition, if your child has trouble breathing, you need to visit our medical practitioners and safeguard your baby from a life-threatening condition.

If the condition is severe, you or your child might require additional oxygen and closer monitoring for a few days. Please don’t hesitate to visit our ER if you have flu-like symptoms for immediate treatment today.