Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Winter 2018

PEDIATRICS 8 | Winter 2018 Get to know the signs and when to seek care F or most people, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is an aggravation, causing mild, cold- like symptoms. But RSV can cause serious illness in children younger than 2 years old. “Any parent who has watched a baby with RSV labor to breathe knows this can be a scary sickness,” says Jason Hagely, M.D., a Lake Regional pediatrician. “Given the right care, most infants will recover fully. But it’s important to know when to seek medical attention.” Why is RSV worse for infants? In infants, RSV is a leading cause of bronchiolitis. Bronchioles are tiny airways that lead to the lungs. When infected, these airways can swell and fill with mucus. “Adults might end up with a cough or other chest cold symptoms, but in infants, it doesn’t take much swelling of the bronchioles to make breathing more difficult,” Dr. Hagely says. RSV also can lead to pneumonia, or infection of the lungs. How is RSV treated? Most cases of RSV in children older than 3 months do not develop into a serious illness and can be treated at home. Nasal saline drops and suction- ing can help clear a stuffy nose, and fever and pain can be treated with over-the-counter medicines, with a health care provider’s approval. Some more severe cases of RSV may need additional support, such as a nebulizer for breathing treatments. Oral ste- roids, including Prednisone, gener- ally are not recommended for RSV because they can make symptoms last longer. “Parents need to monitor infants closely for signs of dehydration, which include a dry mouth, fewer wet diapers and sunken eyes,” Dr. Hagely says. “If these signs appear, seek medical attention. Also seek medical atten- tion for rapid breathing — more than 60 breaths per minute — or signs of labored breathing, which include flared nostrils and unusual chest movements where the chest seems to cave inward.” If an infant is hospitalized for an RSV-related illness, treatment might include oxygen therapy, fluids to pre- vent or treat dehydration, and respira- tory support. Most RSV illnesses last about a week, but the cough often will linger for several weeks. Is RSV preventable? RSV is highly contagious. It spreads through coughs and sneezes and can survive on hard surfaces for several hours. Frequent handwashing will help lower the risk of infection, but it’s hard to guard against airborne attacks. Dur- ing peak RSV season (roughly Novem- ber to April), infants considered at high risk for a serious RSV-related illness can get a monthly injection of a medicine that provides short-term protection. “Almost all children are infected with RSV at least once by the time they are 2 years old, and most cases are not se- vere,” Dr. Hagely says. “So, parents, it’s no reason to panic. Just be aware of the warning signs of a more serious infec- tion, and if concerned, seek care.” Be alert to RSV DON’T WORRY, WE’RE HERE If your child is sick or injured, we want them to feel better as soon as possible. Learn all the ways Lake Regional cares for kids at lakeregional.com/ pediatrics .