Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) appears in autumn and winter when respiratory viruses take turns. It is a common pathogen that can cause respiratory infections. People of all ages can be infected with the virus, and children are more susceptible and may even be hospitalized as a result of the infection, while adults with respiratory syncytial virus infections are mostly mild and rarely require hospitalization.

What are the high-risk groups of infection

After respiratory syncytial virus infection, the incubation period is usually 2 to 8 days, and the clinical manifestations are mainly respiratory infection symptoms. Some special groups (including but not limited to the following) are at higher risk of contracting the virus than others.

Babies under 6 months of age, especially those born in winter

A baby in a nursery

Infants and children with underlying lung disease, such as bronchial or lung dysplasia

Babies and children with congenital heart disease

Babies exposed to second-hand smoke

Patients with persistent asthma

Adult patients with heart and lung disease

Elderly people in nursing homes

Elderly people with chronic lung disease

These people should pay special attention to prevention, after the appearance of respiratory infection, they should closely monitor the symptoms, and if necessary, they should be sent to the doctor in time.

Children with symptoms should pay extra attention

Respiratory syncytial virus-associated upper respiratory infections usually resolve on their own without special treatment. When children appear fever, wheezing and other symptoms in the virus epidemic season, parents need to be vigilant about the possibility of bronchiolitis and take their children to medical treatment in time.

Bronchiolitis is a clinical respiratory distress syndrome that mainly occurs in children under 2 years of age. It usually develops 1 to 3 days after the appearance of upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose. It is usually characterized by fever (usually no higher than 38.3 degrees Celsius), cough, and dyspnea.

In children with severe illness, parents can hear the obvious high-pitched wheezing sound when the child breathes, indicating that the child has developed airway spasm and needs targeted treatment. Children with bronchiolitis may also experience dehydration and pneumonia, and in severe cases, acute respiratory failure.

In adults, the symptoms of RSV infection are usually much milder, with only upper respiratory symptoms.

It is important to note that the immunity to RSV that people acquire through infection does not protect them from reinfection, but when they are reinfected, the symptoms are usually milder than the previous infection.

Do these things to prevent infection

Respiratory syncytial virus can be transmitted by contact or droplets. For example, the most common route of transmission is direct contact with respiratory syncytial virus secretions or contaminants in the nasal and eye mucosa.

The general measures to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection are as follows:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, sleeve, or elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Do not litter tissues with secretions Do not litter them.

Frequent hand washing When a family member is infected with RSV, frequent hand washing by close contacts is important to stop transmission.

Do not gather in the respiratory syncytial virus epidemic season, infants and young children should try not to go to crowded areas, especially children crowded areas.