RADAR ON RSV STOP THE SPREAD

New parents need to know about this virus. It is very common and highly contagious. While adults won’t suffer much, it can be dangerous for babies.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a tricky one of which we all need to be aware. RSV attacks at least three babies out of four in their first year of life. Premature babies in particular are at high risk. RSV now occurs throughout the year and not only in the colder months as before, warns University of Pretoria paediatric pulmonologist Prof. Robin Green. Globally, it is on the rise, says Cape Town paediatrician Dr Iqbal Karbanee, who adds that as little ones return to daycare and play school this year, the risk of exposure is increased.

For parents , the tricky bit is that the early symptoms are similar to those of a common cold.

Typically, you will see a runny or blocked nose, low fever, and a light cough that changes into a heavy cough within three days. As the virus attacks the lungs, your child will begin to struggle with breathing.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Symptoms of RSV include coughing or wheezing that does not stop, stuffy or runny nose, fast or troubled breathing, a fever, bluish colour around the mouth or fingernails and spread-out nostrils and/ or a caved-in chest when breathing, lower appetite, mild sore throat and trouble sleeping, says Prof. Welma Lubbe from the school of nursing science at North-West University.

“We often think that it will go away, not realising that this is dangerous as it could develop into bronchitis or even pneumonia in younger children,” says Dr Karbanee. A child with breathing difficulty or any of the symptoms mentioned above must be seen by a doctor. Any change in the child's condition in this direction means you should take your child to the doctor without delay. Even if your child doesn’t have breathing difficulty, the other symptoms could last for weeks. Think of that cold that you cannot shake; the one that improves but weeks later, you still have a post-nasal drip or a cough you just can’t lose. A case like this would most likely be RSV, says Dr Karbanee. The only way to know for sure is for your doctor to test for it. RSV is spread through the coughing or sneezing of someone who has the virus and by droplets from hand-to-hand contact and through contaminated surfaces. Prevent the spread by thorough hand washing before touching a baby (parents and others), good cough and sneeze hygiene and not smoking near your baby (not even outside your house).

Other factors that may increase the risk for contracting RSV include being around other children at a crowded day care, family history of wheezing or asthma, exposure to tobacco smoke and air pollutants, prematurity, or low birth weight due to multiple, twin or triplet births, low birth weight, crowded living conditions, pre-school or school-aged siblings, a weakened immune system or a serious lung infection and repeated doctors’ visits or hospitalisation. Avoid these factors as much as possible.

Also wash toys and bedding often, don’t share eating utensils, disinfect high-traffic hard surfaces, such as doorknobs, keep your baby away from crowds, young children and anyone who is ill.

HOW AND WHEN TO GET EXTRA PROTECTION

Special medication exists that can protect pre-term babies against severe RSV disease for about a month and should therefore be given to at-risk babies every 28 to 30 days during the RSV season. It is usually administered in the baby’s thigh muscle by a healthcare provider, such as the NICU staff or your doctor. The first injection should be administered before the RSV season starts and continue till the end of the RSV season. If the baby contracts RSV during this time, they should still get the injection throughout the RSV season to prevent severe disease from new RSV infections. The aim of these infections is to keep pre-term graduates out of hospital. ●