You may have heard in the news or from family members about a virus that has been going around recently. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection usually surges during winter but the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the timing and RSV is on the rise.

RSV is a virus that is very similar to the common cold. It mostly infects children but can be more severe for those that are very young, older adults, and those of us that do not have the strongest immune system that will allow us to fight off the virus. Almost every child is infected with RSV (usually before they turn two) with nearly all of them fully recovering after a few days of rest.

People that have been infected with this virus will often experience a runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, pneumonia, bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) especially for premature infants, children with heart or lung problems and older adults with underlying medical conditions.

The only way that you can tell that you have RSV is through a simple test done at your family doctor’s office or urgent care center. It is quick, easy, and painless. You should have the results back to you before you are ready to go home.

The bad news is that currently there aren’t any vaccines to prevent this virus or medications that treat it directly for many people. The best way to keep you from getting it, is good hygiene. Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soap and warm water. If you cough or sneeze, do so in a tissue or inside your elbow. If you feel sick, please stay away from others until you are better and try to keep away from those that are ill. If you or your child do test positive, do not worry, the best treatment can be done right away (if you don’t have complications).

Chat with OUR TEAM today, we can advise you on Over The Counter (OTC) medications you can take to manage your symptoms. Drink 4-8 glasses of water daily to stay hydrated and eat as much nutritious food as you can to help boost your immune system.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 31). Preventing RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 20, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/prevention.html#print