About RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages, is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children.

In adults, it may only produce symptoms of a common cold, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild headache, cough, fever, and a general feeling of being ill. But in premature babies and kids with diseases that affect the lungs, heart, or immune system, RSV infections can lead to other more serious illnesses.

RSV is highly contagious and can be spread through droplets containing the virus when someone coughs or sneezes. It also can live on surfaces (such as countertops or doorknobs) and on hands and clothing, so can be easily spread when a person touches something contaminated.

RSV can spread rapidly through schools and childcare centers. Babies often get it when older kids carry the virus home from school and pass it to them. Almost all kids are infected with RSV at least once by the time they're 2 years old.

Treating RSV
Fortunately, most cases of RSV are mild and require no specific treatment from doctors. Antibiotics aren't used because RSV is a virus and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Medication may sometimes be given to help open airways.

In an infant, however, an RSV infection can be more serious and may require hospitalization so that the baby can be watched closely, receive fluids, and, if necessary, be treated for breathing problems.

At home, make a child with an RSV infection as comfortable as possible, allow time for recovery, and provide plenty of fluids. The last part can be tricky, however, because babies may not feel like drinking. In that case, offer fluids in small amounts at more frequent intervals than usual.

If your child is uncomfortable and too young to blow his or her own nose, use a nasal aspirator (or bulb syringe) to remove sticky nasal fluids.

When to Call the Doctor
Call the doctor if your child has any of these symptoms:

1. high fever with ill appearance
2. thick nasal discharge
3. worsening cough or cough that produces yellow, green, or gray mucus
4. signs of dehydration

In infants, besides the symptoms already mentioned, call the doctor if your baby is unusually irritable or inactive, or refuses to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

Seek immediate medical help if you feel your child is having difficulty breathing or is breathing very rapidly, is lethargic, or if his or her lips or fingernails appear blue.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/rsv.html#

Brain and Language Development A baby needs rich social interaction with other people during the critical periods of brain and language development in the first few months after birth. Interactive contact with other people is the only way to develop social, cognitive and language skills. Acute social deprivation can lead to language and cognitive impairment, for life. Many children born to high income highly educated parents end up as mentally retarded or language impaired in the rehabilitation centre in the Sandy Bay.

Hygiene Alert. RSV infections often occur in epidemics that last from late fall through early spring. Respiratory illness caused by RSV — such asbronchiolitis or pneumonia — usually lasts about a week, but some cases may last several weeks. We must not allow older children with running noses or common cold symptoms to attend classes in our centres. Le Beaumont keeps a very high standard of hygiene in all our 3 centres.