As respiratory virus season approaches, parents are beginning to hear more about RSV and new ways to protect children from serious illness. RSV immunizations are now available through UT Health East Texas clinics, making this an ideal time for families to learn about prevention before cases begin increasing in the community. As RSV cases are expected to increase in the coming months, Dr. Christina Barreda, pediatric pulmonologist with UT Health East Texas, answers common questions about the virus, its impact on children and the newest tools available to help prevent serious illness.
What is RSV, and why are doctors concerned about it?
RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, is a very common respiratory virus that most children get by the time they are two years old. For most people, the symptoms are those of a cold, with runny nose, nasal congestion and/or coughing. However, for some people, especially little babies and older people, it can cause severe symptoms, such as wheezing, significant coughing, fever, and sometimes difficulty breathing. In little children, it can cause a breathing condition called bronchiolitis, in which there is a lot of inflammation in the small airways of the lungs. Babies with RSV infection can get a lot of secretions in their nose and small airways, making it hard for them to eat and sometimes harder to breathe. Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization for children under age 1 in this country, so doctors take RSV very seriously.
How can parents tell if their child has RSV?
The symptoms of RSV are very common to other respiratory viral colds and can include runny nose, coughing, wheezing and sometimes difficulty breathing. Sometimes children will have a fever or become very fatigued. One way to test for RSV is with a nasal swab that tests for the virus, although this test is not perfect, and is not always necessary. Care is based primarily on a child’s symptoms. Reasons to seek medical attention would be if a child has signs of increased work of breathing such as nose flaring, head bobbing, skin tugging in at their neck skin tugging in between their ribs or underneath the ribs more than usual. In addition, if a child has trouble feeding, especially if they’re dehydrated and making less than one wet diaper per eight hours, that would be a reason to seek medical attention. If the child is lethargic or if you as the caregiver are worried, that would be a reason to see a doctor for evaluation.
What are the new RSV immunizations, and who should receive them?
There are currently two main RSV immunizations that babies can get to help protect against RSV, and a baby only needs one of these. These immunizations work by giving babies the antibodies to help fight RSV and start working almost immediately after they are given. Babies who receive them have a significantly lower risk of requiring hospitalization for RSV infection.
When should families consider getting RSV protection?
Most babies who are 0-8 months age during RSV season, which is typically around October through March, should get the RSV immunization unless the mother received the RSV vaccine when she was pregnant more than 14 days prior to giving birth. In addition, some older babies and toddlers ages 8-19 months old who are at higher risk from RSV infection should get the RSV immunization. Families should talk to their pediatrician to see if their baby would benefit.
Besides immunization, what can families do to reduce the risk of RSV?
Other ways to help prevent the spread of RSV are good handwashing and avoiding bringing babies around people who are sick. In addition, if little children are going to be around a baby, instruct the children not to touch the baby’s face or hands as that can increase the risk of spreading infection to the baby, since babies often bring their hands to their mouths.
Christina Barreda, MD, is an associate professor of pediatric pulmonology at the UT Tyler School of Medicine and is a pediatric pulmonologist with UT Health East Texas. Dr. Barreda specializes in diagnosing and treating respiratory conditions in children, including asthma, chronic lung disease and complex breathing disorders.