syncytial virus

Fatima Khalil wrote Wednesday, December 13, 2023 04:00 PM

Respiratory syncytial virus It is a common virus among children, especially infants. Respiratory syncytial virus can affect the airways in the lungs, and in more serious cases, there is difficulty breathing, so children breathe faster than usual, and the oxygen concentration in their blood may decrease significantly, in In this report, we learn about the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus and methods of treating it in infants, according to the Romper website.

What is respiratory syncytial virus?

Syncytial virus is a common respiratory virus that can manifest itself in a number of ways – from regular cold and cough symptoms to those suggestive of bronchiolitis, which is inflammation and congestion of the small airways in the lung. When they become irritated or inflamed, it can lead to poor oxygen exchange – low blood oxygen levels, wheezing and difficulty breathing, along with fatigue and dehydration.

RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization in infants and can result in the need for oxygen, intravenous fluids, or mechanical ventilation, but the majority of 2-year-olds have been infected with RSV and recovered without complications.

Who is most at risk of infection with syncytial virus infection?

Basically, the younger or older a person is, the more vulnerable they are to the risks that RSV can present.

Those most at risk of severe illness from RSV are:

-Infants younger than 12 months (especially those 6 months or younger)

-Premature babies (i.e. those born before week 37)

-Children under the age of two who suffer from chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease

-Children with weakened immune systems or neuromuscular disorders, including those who have difficulty swallowing or clearing mucus secretions

-Children who suffer from asthma or asthma-like conditions.

-Adults 60 years and older (with risk increasing with age)

-Adults with chronic heart and lung diseases, a weakened immune system, or other underlying conditions.

Symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus

Mild to moderate symptoms of syncytial virus include:

-Cough

-Runny nose and congestion

-sore throat

– Headache

Moderately severe symptoms of syncytial virus include:

-Wheezing, difficulty breathing, and low blood oxygen saturation

-Dehydration and difficulty feeding

-Fatigue, decreased activity

-fever

-Apnea (stopping breathing for more than 10 seconds)

Treatment of respiratory syncytial virus

There is no specific treatment for respiratory syncytial virus, which for many children can feel like a bad cold.

Monitor the child’s breathing, nutrition, and temperature throughout the illness and seek ongoing medical care or hospital treatment if symptoms change or worsen.

Respiratory symptoms such as a regular cough and runny nose can last for a week or two – but they are not necessarily serious as long as the child is not breathing too quickly or making a great effort to breathe and take in enough air.

-Drink more fluids to avoid dehydration

– Use saline drops in children’s small and easily blocked noses, then gently suction them using a syringe to remove mucus secretions.

-Bring an infant or child into a room with warm, humidified air (such as the bathroom after a steamy shower) to help clear clogged sinuses.

– Antipyretics in case of fever.

2023-12-13 14:00:00

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