Rsv what does it stand for

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties. Call your healthcare professional if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms. Do not give aspirin to children who have a viral illness.

Such use is linked to Reye syndrome , which can be life-threatening. Do not use over-the-counter cold medicines, which can be dangerous for young children. Because RSV can spread easily by touching infected people or surfaces, washing hands well and often can help stop it. Wash your hands after being around someone who has cold symptoms.

And school-age kids who have a cold should keep away from younger siblings — especially babies — until their symptoms end. The protection it gives doesn't last long, though. Ask the health care provider if your child is considered high-risk. Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Respiratory Syncytial Virus? Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Know the symptoms to look for and how to care for people with RSV.

RSV can be dangerous for some infants and young children. But RSV can be serious, especially for infants, patients who are immunocompromised, and older adults. RSV can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and droplets get in the eyes, nose, or mouth of a healthy person.

Additionally, touching a contaminated surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touching your face can expose you to the virus. RSV can also spread through direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV. RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. It typically lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time.