Parents are being warned to be on the look out for symptoms of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is a virus that affects the lungs and air passages in children and babies.
This week the HSE has expressed concern at rising cases of respiratory illnesses such as RSV, and the impact such cases can have on the health system as winter approaches. RSV is a common respiratory virus in babies and children that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with most people recovering in a week or two, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC).
However, RSV can be serious, especially for babies and older adults. The illness causes coughs and colds every winter and is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants. Here's everything you need to know about RSV and what symptoms to watch out for:
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Symptoms of RSV:
According to the HPSC, symptoms of RSV can appear between 2 to 8 days after a person is infected and include the following:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough and sometimes croup (a barking cough caused by inflammation of the upper airways)
- Wheezing
- Decreased appetite
- Ear infections (in children)
According to the HSPC, it is the most common cause of hospital admissions due to acute respiratory illness in young children.
“By two years of age, nearly all children have been infected with RSV at least once. Most cases are not specifically diagnosed as RSV; however it causes 80% of bronchiolitis and 20% of pneumonia cases in young children,” states the HSPC.
While there is no vaccine available for the RSV virus, parents can visit the HSE's under the weather website for more information.
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