Respiratory Syncytial Disease (RSV) is an illness caused by a virus and commonly affects infants and children under two years of age.
I. Causes
a. RSV is a childhood viral illness and one of the most frequent reasons infants are admitted to the hospital. RSV usually occurs within the first 3 years of life but can occur at any age. Infections are most common between the months of November and April but can happen any time of the year. Children less than 2 years of age, especially premature infants, children born with heart or lung disease, or other chronic medical problems, are most at risk for severe breathing problems from RSV infection.
b. It Affects the very young and individuals with compromised immune systems. RSV is most commonly spread by adult, because they experience it as a minor cold and recover in a few days. The virus is highly contagious and a person can be …show more content…
RSV can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air, creating virus-containing droplets that can linger briefly in the air. Other people can become infected if the droplet particles contact their nose, mouth, or eye. Infection can also result from direct and indirect contact with nasal or oral secretions from infected people. Direct contact with the virus can occur, for example, by kissing the face of a child with RSV. Indirect contact can occur if the virus gets on an environmental surface, such as a doorknob, that is then touched by other people. Direct and indirect transmissions of virus usually occur when people touch an infectious secretion and then rub their eyes or nose. RSV can survive on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails for many hours. RSV typically lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time. Researchers are working to develop RSV vaccines, but none is available yet. However, there are steps that can be taken to help prevent the spread of RSV. Specifically, people who have cold-like symptoms