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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

RSV

Prevention:

A simple way to help prevent RSV infection is to wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby. It's important to make certain that other people, especially care givers, take precautions to avoid giving RSV to your baby. The following simple steps can help protect your baby:

• Insist that others wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching your baby.
• Have others avoid contact with the baby if they have a cold or fever. If necessary, it may be helpful to wear a mask.
• Be aware that kissing the baby can spread RSV infection.
• Try to keep young children away from your baby. RSV is very common among young children and is easily spread from child to child.
• Do not smoke inside your house, car or anywhere near your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of RSV illness.

Parents with high-risk young infants should avoid crowds during outbreaks of RSV. Moderate-to-large outbreaks are often reported in the local news and newspapers to provide parents with an opportunity to avoid exposure.

Additionally, an important product is available to prevent RSV infection: Synagis (palivizumab). It has been approved for prevention of RSV disease in children younger than 24 months of age who are at high risk for serious RSV disease. Synagis has not been approved for treatment of RSV infection, making prevention for high-risk children even more important. Synagis is given as a monthly shot to protect your child from contracting RSV. If your child is in a high-risk group, especially babies who were born two months or more premature (32 weeks gestation or less), ask your doctor about using a preventive medicine.

References:

Meissner HC, Long SS; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases and Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Revised indications for the use of palivizumab and respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin intravenous for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infections. Pediatrics. 2003 Dec;112(6 Pt 1):1447-52.

• Review Date: 8/23/2005
• Reviewed By: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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