RS virus

RS virus

RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. Good hand hygiene is important to reduce the risk of RS virus. Treatment against RS virus is focused on alleviating the symptoms. Infection with RS virus is an important reason for hospitalization in young children.

What does RS virus mean?

RS virus stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. Adults and older children can also be infected by the virus, but usually only get symptoms of a common cold.

Every winter there are outbreaks of RS virus, and the RS virus season is approximately from November to May. In developing countries, the RS virus is an important reason for child mortality. In Norway, an RS infection is very rarely life-threatening, but in some cases requires hospitalization. The vast majority of children have had an infection with the RS virus before they turn five.

In recent years, a greater increase in the incidence of RS virus has been recorded than in previous years. The increase in the number of cases also appears to occur earlier in the season than normal. Read more on the Institute of Public Health's pages here.

How is the RS virus transmitted?

The RS virus is transmitted via droplets in the air from people who cough/sneeze and by direct contact (for example with snot). RS virus is highly contagious, and one is most contagious early in the disease.

It usually takes between 3 to 6 days from when a person is infected with the RS virus, until the first signs of illness appear.

How contagious is RS virus?

Infected people are most contagious early in the course of the disease, but children infected with the RS virus can spread the infection for up to 1-2 weeks after the onset of the disease and give birth to signs of the disease.

Symptoms of RS virus

An RS infection often starts as a common cold where the child becomes snotty, coughs, has a slight fever and a sore throat. The virus can eventually spread to the lower respiratory tract (trachea and lungs) and cause:

Phlegm cough and problems coughing up phlegm
Difficulty breathing (can resemble an asthma attack)
High fever
Weakness and exhaustion

How to avoid RS virus?

Children under six months should be kept away from colds. Pay extra attention to this in the winter months.
Good hand hygiene is the most important measure to avoid infection. Feel free to use disinfectant if you do not have access to a washing machine.
Breastfeeding can have a certain preventive effect against RS virus.
Avoid passive smoking

There is preventive treatment against the RS virus that can be given to particularly vulnerable children, for example prematurely born children or children with a serious illness.

Can children get RS virus several times?

Yes! Reinfection and re-infection are common, and children can therefore experience being infected by the RS virus several times.

Treatment

Depending on how severely affected the child is, RSV infection is treated either at home or in hospital. Small children who are affected so badly that they need hospitalization can, for example, be given oxygen, medicine to ease breathing and fluids intravenously if needed.

Saline drops and nasal aspirators are suitable for stuffy noses. Mucosal decongestants should not be used for children under two years of age without consultation with a doctor. Saline drops help to "thin out" the snot and make it easier to remove with a nasal aspirator, for example.

Children over three months can be given antipyretic medicine if they have discomfort in connection with a fever. Children under three months can also be given antipyretic medicine, but this should be given in consultation with a doctor. Medicines containing paracetamol are recommended as the first choice for fever. Strength, form and dosage are selected based on the child's weight and age.

Make sure to raise the child's head as much as possible when sleeping. Plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration is also important.