What is RSV and why is it a big deal? Q&A with infectious disease division chief, Dr. J. Michael Klatte

At Dayton Children's, as well as across the country, we have been seeing an increase in RSV, typically a winter virus, this summer. We sat down infectious disease division chief, Dr. J. Michael Klatte, to learn more about this virus and what parents should be on the lookout for. 

what is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus, also known by its initials ‘RSV,’ is one of the many different viruses which can cause infections in the nose, throat, and lungs. It typically causes infections during the late fall through early spring months. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) virtually all children get an RSV infection by the time they are 2-years-old. Most of the time RSV will cause a mild, cold-like illness, but it can also cause severe illness, such as:

• Bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung)
• Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)

what are the symptoms of RSV?

RSV infections generally begins with symptoms like those of the common cold.

Symptoms can include:

• runny or stuffy nose
• cough
• decreased appetite
• sometimes fever.

While symptoms in most children, adolescents and adults remain limited to those of a cold, in approximately one-fourth of infants and young children, RSV may progress to cause an infection in the lungs. In fact, RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (a swelling of the smallest breathing tubes in the lungs).

RSV infection in the lungs can cause symptoms such as:

• wheezing
• difficulty breathing 
• grunting
• flaring of the nostrils.

how is RSV treated?

There are no specific medications available to kill the virus or shorten the length of symptoms, and so treatments should be aimed at keeping a child comfortable. Such treatments might include using nasal saline with gentle bulb suctioning or a cool-mist humidifier to break up mucous and decrease nasal congestion.

The CDC states that one to two out of every 100 children younger than six months of age with RSV infection may need to be hospitalized. Those who are hospitalized may require oxygen, intubation, and/or mechanical ventilation (help with breathing). Most improve with this type of supportive care and are discharged in a few days.

why are we seeing a spike of RSV during the summer? I thought it typically occurred in the late fall and winter months.

The short answer is that we don't know for certain. We suspect that factors related to the COVID pandemic somehow disrupted RSV's regular seasonal circulation pattern, since we saw extremely few cases of RSV during the past winter and spring.

what can we do to protect our children from RSV?

The CDC recommends these tips:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Washing your hands will help protect you from germs.
• Keep your hands off your face.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people. Avoid close contact, such as kissing, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who have cold-like symptoms.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash afterward.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces: Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that people frequently touch, such as toys, doorknobs, and mobile devices. When people infected with RSV touch surfaces and objects, they can leave behind germs. Also, when they cough or sneeze, droplets containing germs can land on surfaces and objects.
• Stay home when you are sick: If possible, stay home from work, school, and public areas when you are sick. This will help protect others from catching your illness.

For more information about RSV, please find additional resources below.

https://www.childrensdayton.org/kidshealth/a/rsv

https://www.childrensdayton.org/kidshealth/a/az-rsv

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html