Bryan Health held a press conference on the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 2 and delivered updates on this year’s rising rates of respiratory syncytial virus, otherwise known as RSV. While RSV is not generally dangerous to healthy adults, it can be to newborns and infants.
RSV is spread with droplets from noses and throats of those infected with it, primarily through coughs and sneezes. RSV can also remain on hard surfaces for hours. Wearing a mask and wiping down surfaces and other things young children may put in their mouths, such as toys, can help prevent contact with RSV.
Pediatrician Dr. Sian Jones-Jobst outlined a list of symptoms parents should be on the lookout for.
“We want to see your child who has increased work of breathing. Maybe they sound like they’re wheezing. They might have what we call ‘retractions;’ So, when they breathe, their chest collapses because they’re trying to get air in, but they can’t get air in. So, their chest collapses instead.”
Dr. Jones-Jobst continued, saying, “Most… young children with [RSV] have a hard time staying hydrated, because it’s more difficult for them to eat. That’s another reason to call your doctor’s office or to have them seen right away. And definitely, if they’re very irritable, fussy, or perhaps have a fever – and children less than three months of age, if they have a fever of over 100.4, we want to see them in the office and make sure they don’ t have something in addition to a cold or a viral URI. We also want to see older children – older than three months of age – if they have a fever over 100.4 or a fever that lasts for more than four days.”
RSV can also come in the form of illnesses at the end of other illnesses, such as a fever, ear infection, or pneumonia immediately following an otherwise different condition.
There is no vaccine for RSV yet, however in the last week, Pfizer has said they are submitting a vaccine to the FDA for approval by the end of the year. The vaccine is not for children but for pregnant mothers who will then pass on the antibodies to their newborns. Pfizer. Dr. Amy Pinkall of Bryan Health says it was “about 80 percent” effective.