BY BONNIE LAXTON-BLINKHORN, KINDICARE

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

COVID-19 and the public health orders put in place to restrict its spread disrupted the normal transmission of other seasonal illnesses this year, which has led to a significant increase in off-season cases of respiratory syncytial (sin-city-al) virus (RSV), especially among young children.

While RSV is very common, and most children will have been infected by age two, it can be particularly nasty among children 12 months or younger and it is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in this age group. It can also trigger asthma.

Admittedly, early learning centres are a hotbed of germs, and it can be hard to keep track of all the lurgies in circulation, but it’s worth learning about RSV as it can leave children feeling miserable and progress pretty quickly.  

Symptoms of RSV and when to seek help

 The tricky thing about RSV is that the symptoms are similar to those associated with a mild-moderate cold, including:

• A runny nose
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

 

In many instances RSV can be treated at home with a combination of:

• Bed rest
• Regular paracetamol and ibuprofen to relieve pain and fever
• Fluids including water and breastmilk.

 

Most people infected with RSV start feeling better after about a week, but for some infants, including those with lung or heart problems or a weakened immune system, it can lead to complications in the lower respiratory system.

Bronchiolitis is a common complication of RSV, particularly in infants, and while it can be managed at home the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne recommends taking your child to the doctor if:

• They have a high temperature (fever) and do not look well
• Their nose is filled with mucus, and they are having difficulty feeding 
• The cough becomes worse, or your child starts coughing up mucus
• They are dehydrated
• They are a baby and refusing to breast or bottle feed and are irritable.

 

Furthermore, you should call an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if your child is turning blue, having trouble breathing, or is breathing very quickly.

After seeing your child, the doctor may ask to review your child again the following day but you should take them back sooner if your child:

• Is having more difficulty breathing or breathing faster
• Is looking more unwell
• Is not taking at least half of their normal fluids
• Has a cough that seems to be getting worse.

 

Preventing RSV

There’s no vaccine available for RSV but keeping your child’s routine vaccinations up-to-date will reduce the likelihood of them falling ill with another vaccine-preventable illness.

NSW Health says the best way to prevent the spread of RSV and other viruses it to practice good hygiene, especially if your or your child has flu-like symptoms:

• Stay at home if you don't feel well
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Wear a mask in crowded places or if you are visiting high risk settings
• Avoid contact with high-risk people such as infants, older people and those who are immunocompromised until you feel better.

 

RSV can survive on surfaces or objects for about 4 to 7 hours, so it’s also important to:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water or use hand sanitiser
• Avoid sharing cups and utensils
• Regularly clean surfaces and items that may be contaminated with droplets using a household detergent
• Wash toys that are shared among children with warm water and detergent at the end of the day, especially if they have been sneezed on or put in the mouth. After sanitising leave toys to dry in the sun.

 

RSV just became a notifiable disease, which means that health practitioners need to report cases so they can be tracked nationally. While the chances of your child becoming very unwell from RSV are relatively low, it’s reassuring to know that awareness is increasing, and steps are underway to keep vulnerable people safe.

Further reading:

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne: Respiratory syncytial virus

HealthDirect: RSV Factsheet

The Conversation: A paediatric disease expert answers 5 questions about the surging outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus