Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that can affect people of all ages. Most commonly, the illness is diagnosed in children under two years old, and can cause mild symptoms– similar to the common cold. Recently, cases of RSV have begun to spike in our communities, and you may be wondering… Is RSV contagious?
Well, similar to many other viruses, RSV is contagious and can cause severe symptoms for those with compromised immune systems. Though the virus is typically seen in younger children, the virus can be transmitted to adults. Continue reading to learn about the signs and symptoms of RSV and how to prevent the virus from spreading in your community. Visit AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock for same-day pediatric illness treatment.
What are the Symptoms of RSV?
For mild to moderate cases of RSV, the symptoms can feel very similar to a common cold. Symptoms usually appear in phases, meaning they don’t all appear at once. Recent studies tell us that almost every child will be affected by RSV by the time they reach two years old. Since the symptoms are similar to a cold, it can be very difficult to distinguish the illness on your own. At AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock, a medical provider will be able to diagnose symptoms of RSV through lab testing.
Common symptoms usually of RSV include:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Wheezing
- Decrease in appetite
Is RSV Contagious and How Does it Spread?
As previously mentioned, RSV is highly contagious. The virus is spread from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected, similar to COVID-19. You can contract RSV through droplets that are transmitted via coughing and sneezing, or touching objects that are contaminated with the virus.
It typically takes between two and eight days from the time of exposure for someone to start noticing RSV symptoms. The illness normally lasts up to a week. For infants with immune deficiencies, and for elderly people with underlying health conditions, RSV can cause more severe illness and inflammatory symptoms.
How Can I Prevent Contracting RSV?
There are a number of things you can do to prevent contracting RSV. It’s important to keep infants away from people with colds, and make sure to clean and disinfect hard surfaces– where the virus can live on for hours. Additionally, practice frequent hand washing and good hygiene for both your and your child. At AFC Aurora Saddle Rock, we recommend that your child receives all necessary vaccines. Immunizations can’t entirely prevent your child from getting sick, but they can protect your child from further complications that a virus or a cold can cause.
Contact AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock!
For same-day pediatric urgent care, visit us at AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock! Urgent care is a great option for acute cases of RSV. The clinic stays open every day of the week, making weekend healthcare accessible when you need it. Don’t leave your family’s health up to chance and risk RSV complications. If you or your child is already experiencing RSV symptoms, our qualified team of physicians can help plan treatment. Visit AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock on a walk-in basis. Call now for more information at (303) 529-3300.
