What is respiratory syncytial virus and what are its symptoms?

The United States have been reporting a surge in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a respiratory disease. The disease normally peaks in winter but it is infecting children in southern states this summer. This comes as COVID-19 cases are rising in the country due to the Delta Variant. 

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a common disease in kids, which generally causes mild cold-like symptoms. Though RSV is usually a mild disease, it can cause severe illness in the very young and very old. According to the data, it kills up to 500 children under age 5 every year.

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Physicians across the Southern states, including Texas, Florida and Louisiana, have warned of a possible upcoming flood of both RSV and COVID-19 infections in children and teens.

Oklahoma has reported rise in hospitalisation.

Symptoms of RSV

According to the CDC, the symptoms of RSV include:

· Runny nose

· Decrease in appetite

· Coughing

· Sneezing

· Fever

· Wheezing

The CDC has said that if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, is not drinking enough fluids, or is experiencing worsening symptoms, you should seek medical attention. CDC says, there is no specific treatment for RSV infection and most infections go away on their own in a week or two.

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Why is it happening now?

Dr Claudette Poole, a paediatric infectious diseases physician at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, told NBC due to COVID-19, it was delayed in the winter season. He added that COVID restrictions suppressed its normal circulation during the winter, “it’s sort of making up for lost time now.” 

According to another theory, babies born during or shortly before the pandemic may not have come into contact with the virus as they would normally have since people were staying at home. And, the surge of RSV in the summer could be because the immunity a child gets being out in public “was not reinforced by exposure.”