Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that typically leads to mild, cold-like symptoms. Although adults and older children seem to have mild symptoms, it can be more serious in young children and especially, babies.
1.) RSV can occur in people of all ages, although, it is known as the most common germ that causes lung and airway infections in infants and young children. Outbreaks of RSV infections most often begin when the weather cools down in the fall and typically runs into the spring season. The virus spreads quickly in a crowded household or area and can live on countertops for up to 5 hours.
2.) The virus spreads through the air when a sick person, coughs, blows their nose or sneezes. You can also get the virus if you have direct contact with someone who is infected by the virus, as well as touching a surface that is contaminated.
3.) Symptoms of RSV can vary with age but they usually appear four to six hours after you come in contact with the virus. Older children have only mild, cold-like symptoms, whereas young children and babies could have the following:
Blue skin color due to lack of oxygen
Difficulty breathing
Nasal flaring
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Mild infections usually go away without treatment. Infants and young children, on the other hand, may be admitted into a hospital if the infection is severe.
