VCHS Reports Increase in RSV

Valley County Health System Medical Clinic nurse manager, Lisa Stethem, RN, reports an increase in prevalence of RSV in the past week.  Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

There is no specific treatment for RSV infection.  The disease is caused by a virus so antibiotics are not effective.  You can manage fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Talk to your healthcare provider before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines, since some medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children. It is important for people with RSV infection to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids).

Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. In the most severe cases, a person may require additional oxygen or intubation (have a breathing tube inserted through the mouth and down to the airway) with mechanical ventilation (a machine to help a person breathe).

There are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of RSV. Specifically, if you have cold-like symptoms you should

• 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 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others

In addition, cleaning contaminated surfaces (such as doorknobs, light switches, shopping cart handles, phones) may help stop the spread of RSV.

Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases 

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