What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)? What are the symptoms? Is there a cure? How does it go? Here are the frequently asked questions and answers:
What is RSV?
RSV, also known as respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that infects the lungs and airways, causing cold-like symptoms that are often mild. RSV virus is transmitted through close contact, eye, nasal discharge and droplets suspended in the air.
RSV symptoms:
- Fire
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Sneeze
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Decreased appetite
Mild headache - Weakness and fatigue
It’s very similar to Covid infection!
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a virus that usually causes epidemics in autumn and winter. Disease symptoms are not specific for RSV. It is difficult to distinguish clinically from viral infections such as Covid, Influenza, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza. However, it can be distinguished from other viral infections by causing bronchitis and bronchiolitis more frequently in pediatric patients.
RSV, which is similar to influenza and Covid-19 symptoms; It occurs with symptoms such as runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing and weakness. It can also cause lung infection in children, the elderly and immunocompromised people. Although the course of RSV disease, which has no specific treatment, varies from patient to patient, it usually resolves spontaneously within a week or two.
Is RSV infection dangerous?
RSV causes serious infections that can result in death, especially in some patient groups. Babies younger than six months, children and adults with chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis), babies born before the 35th week of pregnancy, babies and children with congenital heart disease, leukemia and severe combined immunodeficiency patients, elderly people living in nursing homes are infected with this virus. They constitute the group of patients in whom the disease can progress more severely and fatally.
Caution: Intensive care for under 2 years old!
In adults, it has mild symptoms such as runny nose, cough, sneezing, fever, fatigue and decreased appetite. Although it causes disease in all age groups, CDC reports that it can cause infections that may require hospitalization and intensive care, especially in children under 2 years of age. While it causes mild to moderate respiratory tract infection in healthy people, it can be severe in babies under six months of age, children and adults with chronic lung disease, premature babies, leukemia and severe immunodeficiency patients, and the elderly living in nursing homes.
There is no antiviral drug!
The disease is transmitted through contact and breathing. The disease is diagnosed by testing the sample taken from the respiratory tract using the PCR method. There is no effective antiviral drug available for RSV. Unlike flu and Covid, there is no vaccine in clinical use. Treatment usually consists of symptomatic and supportive care. For these reasons, contact, disinfection and isolation measures are very important for protection.
On the other hand, NIAID-funded basic and clinical studies helped establish the fundamental knowledge necessary for the private sector to develop protein vaccines. These vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe RSV in some target populations.
Eat a Mediterranean diet, stay away from cigarettes and alcohol, be physically active, make friends, and do not forget to consult your doctor for adult vaccinations. Stay healthy.