How can you treat RSV at home for children and adults. What are the natural remedies for RSV. When should a baby or adult with RSV go to the hospital. What are the symptoms of RSV in babies and adults.

Understanding RSV: A Highly Contagious Respiratory Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread and highly contagious virus that affects people of all ages. It typically peaks during the winter months, with nearly everyone contracting it by their second birthday. Many individuals experience multiple infections throughout their lifetime.

Studies indicate that children have a 10 to 20 percent chance of contracting RSV annually, with slightly lower rates in adults. Remarkably, it’s possible to be infected multiple times within a single season, although subsequent infections tend to produce milder symptoms.

Who is at High Risk for RSV Complications?

• Infants and young children
• Older adults
• Individuals with chronic medical conditions
• People with compromised immune systems

For most individuals not in high-risk groups, RSV typically manifests as a common cold with symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, coughing, headache, low-grade fever, and a sore throat. These symptoms usually resolve on their own within one to two weeks.

RSV Symptoms: What to Look Out For

RSV symptoms can vary between adults and children. Can you recognize the signs of RSV infection. Here are the most common symptoms to watch for:

RSV Symptoms in Adults:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Headache
• Low-grade fever
• Sore throat

RSV Symptoms in Babies:

• Congestion
• Decreased appetite
• Irritability
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing

Is RSV always a serious threat. For most people, RSV is not a severe illness. However, it can cause serious complications in high-risk groups, particularly infants, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions.

Home Treatment Strategies for RSV

For individuals not at high risk from RSV, mild infections can often be managed at home with supportive care. This approach focuses on managing symptoms and promoting comfort during recovery.

Dr. David Banach, Associate Professor of Medicine and Head of Infection Prevention at UConn Health, emphasizes that supportive care recommendations may vary based on individual symptoms. He suggests that over-the-counter medications can help alleviate specific issues such as nasal congestion, coughing, pain, or fever.

Key Elements of RSV Home Treatment:

1. Hydration: Ensuring adequate fluid intake is crucial to prevent dehydration.
2. Rest: Allowing the body time to recover and fight off the virus.
3. Fever and pain management: Using appropriate medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Are antibiotics effective in treating RSV. Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook University, clarifies that antibiotics are not prescribed for RSV because it is a viral illness, not a bacterial infection.

Medication Considerations for RSV in Children

When treating RSV in children, certain precautions must be taken regarding medication use. What should parents know about giving medicines to children with RSV.

• Children under 19 should never be given aspirin due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
• Children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen is generally safe when used as directed.
• The FDA advises against using over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 2 years old.

If you’re unsure about which medications are safe for your child, it’s always best to consult with their healthcare provider.

Natural Remedies for RSV Relief

In addition to over-the-counter medications, several natural remedies can help alleviate RSV symptoms. Dr. Nachman recommends the following non-medication approaches:

Honey for Sore Throat and Cough

Honey can be an effective natural remedy for soothing a sore throat and alleviating cough symptoms. How can you use honey to treat RSV symptoms.

• Adults can add honey to tea
• Children over 1 year old can have a spoonful in juice

Important: Never give honey to infants under 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism.

Humidifiers and Vaporizers

Increasing humidity in the air can help ease respiratory symptoms. How do humidifiers and vaporizers help with RSV.

• They add moisture to the air, which can help loosen secretions
• Beneficial for both children and adults who are breathing rapidly

Steamy Baths and Showers

The steam produced by warm baths or showers can help clear congestion and provide relief from RSV symptoms.

Saline Nose Drops or Sprays

These can help keep nasal passages moist and alleviate stuffiness. How do saline solutions help with RSV symptoms.

• They help thin mucus secretions
• Can be used in conjunction with nasal suctioning for infants

Nasal Suctioning for Babies

Using a bulb syringe, with or without saline drops, can help relieve nasal congestion in infants.

Deep Breathing Exercises

For adults and older children, deep breathing exercises can help clear secretions from the lungs. How do deep breathing exercises help with RSV.

• Encourage coughing to expel thick, sticky secretions
• Improve overall lung function

It’s worth noting that Dr. Nachman does not recommend nebulizer treatments for RSV, as they don’t appear to accelerate recovery and can be challenging to use effectively.

When to Seek Medical Attention for RSV

While most cases of RSV can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. When should you take a baby or adult with RSV to the hospital.

Warning Signs Requiring Medical Care:

• Difficulty breathing
• High fever
• Blue discoloration of the skin, especially around the lips and nail beds

Dr. Nachman emphasizes the importance of closely monitoring an infant’s breathing patterns. Any signs of labored or rapid breathing should prompt immediate medical evaluation.

Preventing RSV Spread: Key Strategies

Given the highly contagious nature of RSV, prevention is crucial. How can you reduce the risk of RSV transmission.

Effective RSV Prevention Methods:

• Frequent handwashing with soap and water
• Avoiding close contact with infected individuals
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Staying home when sick

For high-risk infants, doctors may recommend a preventive medication called palivizumab during RSV season.

Long-term Effects and Recovery from RSV

While most people recover from RSV within a week or two, some may experience lingering effects. What are the potential long-term consequences of RSV infection.

Possible Long-term Effects of RSV:

• Increased risk of asthma in children who had severe RSV
• Recurring wheezing episodes
• Heightened susceptibility to future respiratory infections

Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the infection and the individual’s overall health. Most people will see improvement within 1-2 weeks, but some symptoms, such as cough, may persist for several weeks.

Understanding RSV, its symptoms, and appropriate home treatment strategies is crucial for managing this common respiratory virus. While most cases can be effectively managed at home, it’s essential to recognize when medical attention is necessary, particularly for high-risk individuals. By implementing proper prevention methods and following recommended treatment guidelines, we can minimize the impact of RSV on our health and communities.

How to Treat RSV at Home for Children and Adults

The super contagious virus known as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) usually begins to spread in fall and reaches peak levels in the winter. Nearly everyone gets it by the time they reach their second birthday and many people are infected more than once — maybe even several times — throughout their lifetime.

Studies have shown that children have a 10 to 20 percent chance of getting sick with RSV each year, with the rates in adults slightly lower. It’s even possible to get RSV multiple times within one season (though symptoms tend to be milder after the first bout), according to Mayo Clinic.

While RSV can cause severe and even deadly complications, particularly in high-risk groups (babies, older adults, and individuals who have chronic medical conditions or are immunocompromised), the virus is not typically a serious threat to most other people.

In low-risk groups RSV usually causes nothing more than cold-like symptoms — runny or stuffy nose, coughing, headache, low-grade fever, a sore throat — that go away on their own in a week or two. Babies with RSV may lose their appetite because they are so congested.

How to Treat RSV at Home

If you or your child are not at high risk from RSV, you can usually ride out a mild infection at home with so-called supportive care — over-the-counter medications and home remedies aimed at managing symptoms.

“The type of supportive care that’s recommended can depend on individual symptoms,” says David Banach, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine and head of infection prevention at UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut. For example, there are over-the-counter drugs that can help with nasal congestion, alleviate coughing, or reduce pain or fever, he explains.

In most cases, there are three main things that can help someone with RSV feel better, says Sharon Nachman, MD, chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases and professor of pediatrics at Stony Brook University’s Renaissance School of Medicine in Stony Brook, New York. They are:

• Lots of fluids (it’s especially important to prevent dehydration)
• Rest
• Tylenol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever and pain

What about antibiotics? “Antibiotics aren’t prescribed for RSV because it’s a viral illness, not a bacterial infection,” says Dr. Nachman.

In general, recommendations about RSV home treatments are the same for adults and older children, says Nachman. One important warning is that children under age 19 should never be given aspirin because of the risk of a life-threatening metabolic condition called Reye’s syndrome, according to Stanford Medicine.

Although children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen is safe (follow the directions on the label), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend over-the-counter medicines to treat cough and cold symptoms in kids under age 2 because of potentially serious side effects.

If you aren’t sure about which over-the-counter medications are safe for children, check with their healthcare provider.

Natural Remedies for RSV

There are a number of nonmedication at-home remedies that can help a person with mild RSV feel better, says Nachman. These include:

• Honey Nachman typically recommends honey to soothe a sore throat or help with a cough. “Adults can put it in tea, and children, provided they are over age 1, can have a scoop in their juice. However, don’t give honey to an infant or baby less than 12 months old,” she says. A bacteria called Clostridium botulinum can be present in honey and cause infant botulism in babies under 1 year old, according to KidsHealth.
• Vaporizers and Humidifiers “I recommend these because they do get a lot of water into the air. For kids and adults who are ‘breathing water off’ because they are breathing fast, that will help their secretions be a bit wetter,” says Nachman.
• Baths or Showers The steamy air produced by baths and showers can help clear congestion, says Nachman.
• Saline Nose Drops or Sprays These can help keep nasal passages moist and help with stuffiness, according to the FDA.
• Nasal Suctioning With a Bulb Syringe Used with or without saline nose drops, these devices can help relieve stuffiness and are good for babies.
• Deep Breathing “For adults or children who are old enough, they can take deep breaths and blow them out. That makes them cough and get rid of the thick, sticky secretions in their lungs,” says Nachman.

Nachman doesn’t recommend nebulizer treatments for RSV. “They don’t seem to make you get better faster and they can be difficult to use,” she says.

When a Baby or Adult With RSV Needs to Go to the Hospital

Anyone with RSV who has difficulty breathing or a high fever, or develops a blue tone to their skin (especially the lips and the nail beds), will require immediate medical attention, according to Mayo Clinic.

“Watch how your baby breathes,” says Nachman. “If they are having trouble, they may need to be tested and go on oxygen.” This is true for older children and adults as well: If they are working hard to breathe, they may need supplemental oxygen, says Nachman.

It’s estimated that over 100,000 and possibly more than 200,000 people (mostly babies and older adults) are hospitalized in the U. S. each year because of RSV, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), often for severe infections such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) or bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs).

As many as 10,000 adults 65 and over and 300 children younger than 5 die from RSV each year, the CDC estimates.

Adults and babies hospitalized with RSV may receive:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Humidified oxygen
• Mechanical ventilation (from a so-called breathing machine)

For immunocompromised patients, doctors might opt to use the antiviral medication ribavirin or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – Diagnosis & treatment

Diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect respiratory syncytial virus based on the findings of a physical exam and the time of year the symptoms occur. During the exam, the doctor will listen to the lungs with a stethoscope to check for wheezing or other abnormal sounds.

Laboratory and imaging tests aren’t usually needed. However, they can help diagnose respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) complications or rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Tests may include:

• Blood tests to check white cell counts or to look for viruses, bacteria and other germs
• Chest X-rays to check for lung inflammation
• Swab of secretions from inside the mouth or nose to check for signs of the virus
• Pulse oximetry, a painless skin monitor, to detect lower than normal levels of oxygen in the blood

More Information

Treatment

Treatment for respiratory syncytial virus generally involves self-care measures to make your child more comfortable (supportive care). But hospital care may be needed if severe symptoms occur.

Supportive care

Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to reduce fever. (Never give aspirin to a child.) Use of nasal saline drops and suctioning may help clear a stuffy nose. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if there’s a bacterial complication, such as bacterial pneumonia.

Keep your child as comfortable as possible. Offer plenty of fluids and watch for signs of loss of body fluids (dehydration), such as dry mouth, little to no urine output, sunken eyes, and extreme fussiness or sleepiness.

Hospital care

If the RSV infection is severe, a hospital stay may be necessary. Treatments at the hospital may include:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Humidified oxygen
• A breathing machine (mechanical ventilation), in rare cases

An inhaler (bronchodilator) or steroids are not proved to be helpful in treating RSV infection.

Self care

You may not be able to shorten the length of a respiratory syncytial virus infection, but you can try to relieve some signs and symptoms.

If your child has RSV, do your best to comfort or distract him or her — cuddle, read a book or play a quiet game. Other tips for relieving symptoms are:

• Create moist air to breathe. Keep the room warm but not overheated. If the air is dry, a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer can moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds.
• Drink fluids. Continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your infant as you would normally. For older children and adults, keep a steady supply of cool water at the bedside. Offer warm fluids, such as soup, which may help loosen thickened secretions. Ice pops may be soothing as well.
• Try saline nasal drops. Over-the-counter (OTC) drops are a safe, effective way to ease congestion, even for young children. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and the instructions on the product.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers. over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may help reduce fever and relieve a sore throat. Ask a doctor for the correct dose for your child’s age.
• Stay away from cigarette smoke. Secondhand smoke can aggravate symptoms.

Preparing for your appointment

Unless severe symptoms result in an emergency room (ER) visit, you’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor or your child’s doctor. Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you may want to make a list of:

• Any symptoms you noticed and when they started, even if they seem unrelated to an upper respiratory infection.
• Key medical information, such as if your child was born prematurely or if he or she has a heart or lung problem.
• Details about child care, considering other locations where your family may have been exposed to respiratory infections.
• Questions to ask your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.

Questions to ask your doctor may include:

• What is likely causing these symptoms? Are there other possible causes?
• What tests might be needed?
• How long do symptoms usually last?
• What is the best treatment?
• Is medication needed? If you’re prescribing a brand-name medication, is there a generic alternative?
• What can I do to make my child feel better?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home? What websites do you recommend?
• To what extent should I isolate my child while infected?

Don’t hesitate to ask any additional questions you may think of during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• When did you first notice symptoms?
• Do the symptoms come and go or are they continuous?
• How severe are the symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen symptoms?
• Is anyone else in the family ill? What symptoms does he or she have?

Your doctor will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your time with the doctor.

Respiratory diseases, treatment: respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory diseases, treatment: respiratory syncytial virus

Hotline number
8 (800) 707 71 81

About the disease
About treatment

Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RS-infection)

Frequent lower respiratory infections in children and adults may be the result of infection with the syncytial virus. Syncytial virus (RSV), for which there is no vaccine, commonly affects newborns and young children, causing respiratory failure. Peak incidence occurs in winter and early spring. Without timely treatment, the disease caused by the syncytial virus can develop into chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

Facts to know

• The source of infection is a sick person and a virus carrier
• Mechanism of infection – aerogenic
• Transmission route – airborne
• 1-2 days before the onset of the first symptoms, the patient becomes contagious and remains so for 3-8 days
• At a heating temperature of 55-60°C, the virus disappears within 5 minutes, when boiled instantly

• Immunity after MS infection is weak, not more than 1 year
• Freezing (minus 70°) virus active, but not re-freezing
• Before the age of 3, almost all children have already had a respiratory syncytial infection
• Average duration of illness 14 to 21 days
• 5-6 hours it can be present in viable condition on clothing, toys and other items

Symptoms of RS virus infection

• Headache
• Lethargy
• Mild intoxication
• Rhinitis
• Dry paroxysmal cough
• In some cases, short-lived fever

Cure

About the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus

Treatment of respiratory diseases consists in bed rest, eating food rich in vitamins, prescribing etiotropic and antibacterial therapy for severe and prolonged forms of bronchiolitis.

Prophylaxis

Non-specific prophylaxis is the timely isolation of the patient until his full recovery. During outbreaks of infection, special attention should be paid to sanitary and hygienic measures in children’s institutions, work groups and at home.

galavit in MS infection

Immunoprophylaxis plays an important role in preventing such diseases. An immunomodulator with anti-inflammatory properties Galavit is recommended for children and adults suffering from frequent respiratory diseases, especially during seasons of increased morbidity. Clinical trials have shown that taking the drug Galavit allows not only to avoid the occurrence of infection, but also to promote a speedy recovery.

Galavit restores the protective properties of the body at any stage of the disease, enhances the effect of antiviral drugs and at the same time has an anti-inflammatory effect. Galavit is a reliable means of preventing respiratory diseases.

How to use Galavit

For prevention:

in the interrelapse period to maintain clinical remission

– 100 mg / day

For treatment:

First 5 days

5 doses of 1 00 mg/day daily

Next 10 days

5 doses of 100 mg/day every other day

Next 15 days

5 doses of 100 mg/day every 2 days

Get a free

consultation with a specialist

on the use of Galavit for prevention

Benefits of using

Galavita in treatment

Reliable and proven

IN CLINICAL PRACTICE SINCE 1997

compatible with any type of therapy

Can be prescribed without immunogram

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symptoms and dangers for children

In the United States, an outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children was recorded. Andrey Pozdnyakov, an infectious disease doctor, chief physician of the clinical diagnostic laboratory of INVITRO-Siberia LLC, told Izvestia on Wednesday, February 8, about what kind of virus it is and why it threatens children, and whether it can spread in Russia.

According to him, this is a fairly long-known virus that causes severe illness mainly in children. Due to the anatomical features of the respiratory tract, it quickly descends and causes bronchitis with varying degrees of obstruction.

“Sometimes it is possible to develop bronchiolitis – inflammation of the small bronchi, which is characterized by very pronounced hypoxia. The risk group includes children, very elderly people, debilitated bedridden patients who have congestion in the lungs, as well as people with reduced immunity, ”Pozdnyakov specified.

He noted that adults carry respiratory syncytial virus easily, like a common respiratory infection. It is in children that the main percentage of severe forms of the disease, hospitalizations and complications is observed. Complications are associated with the fact that the bronchi, including small ones, are clogged with sputum. This leads to the development of respiratory failure of varying severity, after which hypoxia and the whole complex of severe oxygen starvation of the body occur.

“The main symptoms of the disease in children are fever (most often low) and rapid onset of frequent cough with sputum. Cough with RSV infection is not superficial, not “throat”, but bronchial, as the virus quickly descends and affects the bronchi. With massive damage to the bronchi – a manifestation of respiratory failure: shortness of breath, retraction of the intercostal spaces, sometimes cyanosis – blue skin, including at rest, without physical activity. With timely and proper treatment, the disease proceeds normally, ”said Pozdnyakov.

The infectious disease specialist also noted that it is important to determine the moment when the patient begins to need inpatient treatment. This happens when he needs oxygen support. For any signs of respiratory failure, no matter what degree, the patient must be hospitalized, especially if it is a child, the doctor emphasized.

“The outbreak in the US may be related to prolonged quarantine measures due to COVID-19. Children who stayed at home for a long time did not encounter many viruses and lost their immune response. Now for these children, RSV is new and causes a more severe form of the disease than three years ago,” he said.

As the specialist explained, RSV is an exclusively seasonal infection that occurs during the cold season. There is always a risk of an outbreak at this time, and in Russia this option is also not excluded. At the same time, although the virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, it is not as contagious as the flu, chickenpox or measles.

“The outbreak can be effectively suppressed by applying local quarantine measures by separating contacts. For example, if RSV outbreaks occur in a preschool institution, it will be sufficient to introduce limited quarantine in this group,” Pozdnyakov added.