What is Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) Infection?
TAMPA, Fla.  The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) health advisory on the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) issued Friday brings the focus to a disease that many may not have familiarity with. But the disease can be especially dangerous for infants and older adults. According to the CDC, Respiratory syncytial virus is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Its also the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States. Symptoms of RSV usually begin to appear within four to six days after initial infection and include:    Runny nose  Decrease in appetite  Coughing  Sneezing  Fever  Wheezing  The CDC said the symptoms typically appear in stages and not all at once. In young infants, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties. RSV is an airborne pathogen and can also spread in other ways. People who have RSV typically are contagious for three to eight days. But, some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for as long as four weeks. RSV can also survive for hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. The CDC said infants/young children and older adults are the most vulnerable to the virus and most likely to get serious complications if they become ill. In children, RSV can cause bronchiolitis (inflammation of the airways in the lung) and/or pneumonia (infection of the lungs). In older adults, the CDC said RSV can cause pneumonia, severe symptoms for people with asthma, severe symptoms for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and severe symptoms for those with congestive heart failure. RSV is typically seasonal during fall, winter, and spring, but can appear at any time. The CDC gives the following steps to try to avoid catching or spreading RSV to infants/young children and older adults. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer  Keep your hands off your face  Avoid close contact with sick people  Cover your coughs and sneezes  Clean and disinfect surfaces  Stay home when you are sick  For more on RSV from the CDC, click here.