Respiratory Syncytial Virus In Babies – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment by Dr. Srikanta J T

What Are the Risk Factors That Make Respiratory Syncytial Virus Attack More Dangerous?

Respiratory syncytial virus infection can often develop into pneumonia and bronchitis, which can put the life of the baby in jeopardy.

Here are some situations in babies that can put them at a higher risk due to RSV.

• Premature birth
• Weak immune system
• Baby under ten weeks of age
• Heart or lung disease by birth
• Baby not strong enough to fight off infections

The majority of children hospitalized for RSV infections are below six months old.

How And When Does Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Occur?

This infection occurs more often in the fall and winter seasons (November to April). Babies often get it from their school-going siblings who carry the virus home from school. Babies in contact with crowded places like shopping malls or going to daycare centers are more prone to get the infection.

How Does Respiratory Syncytial Virus Spread?

The first step to ensuring that your baby does not contract RSV is to know how the disease spreads. This way you can secure your little one’s health.

• The respiratory syncytial virus spreads through contact- either directly from person to person or indirectly by touching the objects or surfaces infected with the virus.
• It usually enters the body of the child through the nose or mouth.
• The infectious respiratory secretions such as droplets of a cough, sneeze or nose blows spread the virus to the surrounding.
• The virus can live for more than half an hour on the hands, nearly five hours on the surfaces, and for several hours in a tissue used by the infected person.
• Touching contaminated toys, counter-tops, doorknobs, etc. or simply rubbing the nose and eyes or putting fingers in the mouth, or eating food without washing your hands properly will make your baby acquire the virus.
• An infected person is most contagious during the first few days, but they can shed the virus for a week also.

What Are the Symptoms of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Babies?

Even though most of the symptoms are similar to cold, if your child falls into the risk category explained above, closely watch for the following symptoms. If your child shows more than one of these symptoms, then it is better to take him to his doctor. The symptoms are:

• Labored breathing
• Cough
• High fever
• Thick discharge from nose
• Rapid breathing
• Wheezing
• Refusing breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
• Signs of dehydration like no urine in the diaper for six hours

If the child has a Blue tint on fingernails or lips never hesitate to get immediate medical attention.

How Can Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Be Prevented?

As the infection spreads through contact, this infection can be prevented to a certain extent by:

1. Washing the Hands

Wash your (or whoever touches your baby) hand thoroughly before giving your baby a hug or before holding him. This is extremely necessary to follow when your baby is born prematurely or had a weakened immunity. So, insisting the others wash their hands before touching your baby is significant.

2. Avoid Contact With School-Going Siblings

Keep away the school-going sibling showing the symptoms of even a bad cold from the baby until the symptoms evade completely. Never let them kiss their little brother or sister before taking a body wash after returning from school.

3. A Monthly Injection of Antibodies

Some doctors suggest a monthly injection of medicines with the RSV antibodies during the peak time of (for five months) infections in some cases, depending on the demand of the health condition of the baby. The protection given by the injection may not last long. Hence, it will continue till the baby is strong enough to fight the infection on his own.

4. Avoid Exposure

Avoid taking your infant to crowded areas like shopping malls and air-conditioned halls or theaters where the public gathers. Most infectious diseases spread in such crowded conditions.

5. Keep Things Clean

Using a disinfectant, clean surfaces like countertops, floor, bathroom, doorknobs, etc. Make sure the toys with which your baby plays are clean by washing them regularly. Do it, especially if his playmate shows symptoms of a cold.

6. Avoid Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke can aggravate the symptoms. So do not allow anyone to smoke near your child.

How is Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Diagnosed?

If your child comes under the risk category and when the doctor suspects RSV infection during the physical exam, then your doctor will collect mucus samples from your baby’s nose and send them for a lab test. The test results can confirm the viral infection.

What is the Treatment For Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections?

Because there is no treatment available for treating the RSV virus, thus the approach adopted involves containing the symptoms and minimizing its effects on the respiratory system. Also, since no vaccine is yet available for the infection, some doctors may prescribe a medicine called palivizumab to protect babies who are at a higher risk.

1. Hospital Care For Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections

Babies with severe symptoms are treated in hospitals. As we already discussed, RSV infection has a dangerous impact on infants with low immunity levels. So these babies need continuous medical attention and are admitted to the hospital for treatment.

• In the case of dehydration, medical team gives intravenous fluids to baby
• Oxygen treatments and bronchodilators are given to ease the breathing
• Some babies may be given medications to open the airways

2. Home Care For Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections

Home treatments for babies showing minor symptoms:

• Keep the baby well hydrated
• Slightly elevate the head portion of the baby while lying down by inserting a soft towel between the mattress and crib spring. This will help him breathe without much effort
• Keep your baby away from any kind of smokes or irritating fumes or fresh paints or nail polish removers
• Put a few drops of nasal saline solution to loosen the mucus and with a bulb syringe suck the loosened mucus out. This will help the baby to breathe more effortlessly
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer instead of the steam humidifier as the baby is too small for it and can cause harm

Why is RSV Less of a Health Concern For School-aged Children?

School-aged children (without any other health issues) have a stronger immune system. They have a better-developed chest wall and bigger breathing passages. They can also cough up and eliminate the mucus (which small children can’t). So, the chances of developing dangerously obstructed and inflamed airways are much less.

The good news is that scientists are working hard to develop a vaccine against RSV and we can hope it will come out soon.