Home

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that often causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people get better in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, mostly for infants and older adults. RSV is a common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age.

Who can get RSV?

Anyone who has been in close personal contact with someone who has RSV.

How does RSV spread?

RSV can spread when:

  • An infected person coughs or sneezes
  • You get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose or mouth
  • You have direct contact (kissing or touching) someone who has RSV
  • You touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands 

 

When are people with RSV contagious?

People who have RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before showing signs of illness. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can still spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks. Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school or childcare centers. They can then give the virus to others.

Is RSV deadly?

RSV can cause serious illness or death in vulnerable people, such as premature and very young infants, children with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease, and people who are over age 65. However, in healthy people, symptoms of RSV infection are usually mild and resolve within a week.What are the symptoms of RSV?

People who have RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:

  • Runny nose
  • Loss of appetite
  • Not making tears or saliva
  • Breathing fast or working hard to breathe while at rest
  • Not rousing to to touch or voice, confused
  • Fever of 100.4 F or higher for more than 5 days; or above 104 for a child of any age
  • Blue/grey color to lips, chest, inside of mouth
  • Frequent throwing up, not able to drink at all
  • Fever (with a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher) in children less than 12 weeks of age 

 

When should I get tested for RSV?

If you think you or your child have RSV or have had close personal contact with someone who is sick, you should call your doctor  to help you decide if you need to be tested for RSV. To limit the spreading of the virus, you may be taken to an exam room quickly and instructed not to sit in the waiting area.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

  • Stay isolated if you have a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion or cough. Only go out to see a doctor for an emergency. Avoid public transportation.
  • If you must leave isolation, wear a well-fitting mask.

 

How can RSV be prevented?

There are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of RSV. If you have cold-like symptoms and think you may have been exposed to RSV:

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices

 

What treatments are available for RSV?

Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, though researchers are working to create  vaccines and medicines that fight viruses.

Is there a vaccine to prevent RSV?

There is no vaccine yet to prevent RSV infection, but scientists are working hard to develop one. And there is a medicine called Synagis (Palivizumab) that can help protect some babies at high risk for severe RSV disease.

 

When Should I Seek Medical Care for My Child?

  • Not peeing every 6 hours (for infants) or every 8 hours (for toddlers)
  • Not making tears or saliva
  • Breathing fast or working hard to breathe while at rest
  • Not rousing to touch or voice, confused
  • Fever of 100.4 F or higher for more than 5 days; or above 104 for a child of any age
  • Blue/grey color to lips, chest, inside of mouth
  • Frequent throwing up, not able to drink at all
  • Fever (with a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher) in children less than 12 weeks of age.

 

Home Care Tips for Sick Children:

  • Bulb Suctioning: A bulb syringe can be used 6 times a day to remove mucus from your baby's mouth or nose. A stuffy nose can make it hard for your baby to breathe. This can make your baby fussy, especially when he/she tries to eat or sleep. Suctioning makes it easier for your baby to breathe and eat.
  • Offer Fluids: Keep your child hydrated by giving fluids such as Pedialyte, low-sugar versions of Gatorade or Powerade, or even popsicles for those who don’t want to drink. Offer infants breast milk or formula. If your child is throwing up, offer smaller sips of fluids by syringe or cup.
  • Treat pain and fever: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) can be used. If using only one medication is not making your child more comfortable then you can try giving acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. When giving acetaminophen and ibuprofen together make sure you do not give acetaminophen more often than once every four hours, and ibuprofen more often than once every six hours. Be sure to follow instructions on the label. Never give aspirin to children.
  • Rest and Monitoring: Stay home and allow your child to rest. Watch for signs that they are getting worse and may need medical attention (see below).

 Home Care Tips for Adults:

  • Manage fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Drink enough fluids. It is important for people with RSV infection to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Monitor your symptoms. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

 

Additional Information:

RSV signs and symptoms https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html

CDC RSV FAQ https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

 

 

Influenza (Flu)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

What is influenza?

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs.

There are two main types of influenza (flu) viruses: types A and B. The influenza A and B viruses that routinely spread in people (human influenza viruses) are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year.

Who can get the flu?

Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has the flu  is at risk. Some people, such as people 65 years and older, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk of serious flu complications. 

How does the flu  spread?

Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby (usually within about 6 feet away) or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or  eyes.

When are people with the flu  contagious?

Flu viruses can be detected in most infected people  beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness starts. However, infants and people with weakened immune systems who have flu viruses may be contagious for longer than seven days.

Symptoms most often start about two days (but can range from one to four days) after flu viruses infect a person’s respiratory tract. It is possible that before symptoms start, an infected person can spread flu viruses to their close contacts. Some people can be infected with flu viruses and have no symptoms but may still be able to spread the virus to their close contacts.

Is the flu  deadly?

Globally, hundreds of thousands of people die from the seasonal flu  each year. Risk of death is higher in at risk people such as people 65 years and older, young children, and people with underlying health conditions. Flu vaccination can greatly reduce risk of death from flu. Ask your doctor if the flu shot is right for you.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Flu symptoms include:

  • Fever or feeling feverish
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Vomiting and diarrhea

When should I get tested for the flu?

If you think you have the flu  or have had close personal contact with someone who has the flu, you should contact your doctor. To limit the spread of the virus, your doctor may provide telehealth care for you over the phone or ask you not to sit in the clinic waiting area.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

  • Stay isolated if you have a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion or cough. Only go out to see a doctor or for an emergency. Avoid public transportation.
  • If you must leave isolation, wear a well-fitting mask.

 

How can the flu  be prevented?

The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year. Ask our doctor if the flu shot is right for you. 

Also, avoid close contact with people who are sick, isolate from others when you are sick, cover your nose and mouth, clean your hands regularly, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

What treatments are available for the flu?

If you get sick with flu, there are  antiviral drugs may that can be prescribed by your doctor. When treatment is started within 1-2 days after flu symptoms start, influenza antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They might also prevent some flu complications, like pneumonia. For people at higher risk of serious flu complications, treatment with influenza antiviral drugs can mean the difference between milder or more serious illness possibly resulting in a hospital stay.

Is there a vaccine to prevent the flu?

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu illness.

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the flu  viruses that research shows will be most common during the upcoming season. All flu vaccines in the United States are “quadrivalent” vaccines, which means they protect against four different flu viruses: an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses.

Even if you had the flu, it is advised that you still get the flu vaccine. It can help to  prevent a second or more serious infection.

 

Additional Information:

Influenza signs and symptoms
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/index.html

Influenza Treatment
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/index.html

CDC Influenza FAQ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2022-2023.htm

Influenza Vaccine Finder: https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/