RSV is a viral respiratory tract infection that affects most infants and children. It’s usually a common virus that most children outgrow, but recently there has been an outbreak of cases throughout the U.S making it a threat to your children this winter season.
On the other hand, adults who have not been previously infected or immunocompromised like our grandparents can get it, too. As we approach the holiday season, AFC Urgent Care Danbury wants to make sure you brush up your knowledge on how RSV spreads, what the symptoms are, and how to diagnose and treat it.
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory illness caused by the RSV infection. It is an infection that affects the lungs and causes chronic breathing problems in infants and children under 12 months of age. Infants who do not get enough oxygen can develop bronchiolitis, which can lead to breathing problems. RSV infections are also more common in people over 65 years of age, with about 20% of those older people getting infected each year.
Symptoms of RSV
Symptoms of an RSV infection include a runny nose, cough, fever, and wheezing. Children may have difficulty breathing or coughing up mucus. Your child may also need to be hospitalized if they have a severe case of RSV where they cannot breathe on their own or have trouble feeding or sleeping.
It’s important to respond to these symptoms or to get a diagnosis right away to determine the next course of action!
How to Test for RSV
Just like COVID tests, there are tests for RSV, too. There are few options like the antibody test and a nasal swab test. The nasal swab test will be the one to determine if you have it or not. It’s ideal to get a nasal swab test for RSV in the beginning period of your illness so that the collection sample has enough of the virus to show there is a positive result. Luckily for you, AFC Urgent Care Danbury offers the nasal swab test for RSV
Treatment Options for RSV
Can RSV be treated? Although there is no cure, it can be treated and managed if symptoms are mild. Humidifiers and OTC medication may help lessen the symptoms. But it is important to pay attention as symptoms for infants and young children can cause breathing issues. Severe symptoms will need to be addressed by a medical professional. When in doubt, take your child to the hospital if they have trouble breathing.
Preventing Future Infections of RSV
It’s hard to say that you’ll avoid RSV or any of the winter illnesses during the holiday season. After all, December is the busiest month of the year where we have multiple family gatherings, we’re out shopping or in closed spaces because it’s cold out. In addition to this, not all of us are taking the necessary precautions to avoid these illnesses.
Here are some things you CAN DO to avoid these illnesses this holiday season:
- Wash your hands frequently throughout the day
- Avoid touching contaminated surfaces or objects
- Avoid people who are sick
- Don’t host a gathering if you are sick
- Make family relatives test before coming or tell uncle Tony to not come if he is sick (It’s okay to say no)
- Continue wearing masks
Get Tested For RSV At AFC Urgent Care Danbury
Why get tested for RSV at AFC Urgent Care Danbury? The answer is obvious. So, that you can have peace of mind and can hopefully enjoy a sick free holiday season. You also don’t want to accidently infect others or expose yourself to relatives who are sick.
AFC Urgent Care Danbury on Mill Plain rd can help test your child for RSV. Our doors are open 7 days a week and we take walk-ins and appointments online, too!
