How can babies get rsv

Those at greatest risk for severe illness from RSV include Premature infants Very young infants, especially those 6 months and younger Children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease or congenital present from birth heart disease Children with weakened immune systems Children who have neuromuscular disorders, including those who have difficulty swallowing or clearing mucus secretions.

Most of the time RSV will cause a mild, cold-like illness, but it can also cause severe illness such as Bronchiolitis inflammation of the small airways in the lung Pneumonia infection of the lungs One to two out of every children younger than 6 months of age with RSV infection may need to be hospitalized. Early Symptoms of RSV. In very young infants less than 6 months old , the only symptoms of RSV infection may be Irritability Decreased activity Decreased appetite Apnea pauses while breathing Fever may not always occur with RSV infections.

What you should do if your child is at high risk for severe RSV infection. Scientists are working to develop vaccines There is no vaccine yet to prevent RSV infection, but scientists are working hard to develop one.

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In recent weeks, health systems nationwide have reported an unusual number of cases of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, a common viral infection that can pose a serious threat to young children and infants. So how do babies get RSV, and how can you avoid the disease? RSV is notable for its ease of transmission. Social distancing and masks are your best friends for all respiratory illnesses, RSV included.

Daycare centers where younger kids gather should be extra diligent about wiping down surfaces and washing hands this fall, Agha says. Older children with mild symptoms often bring RSV home, where it can do more damage to babies and infants.

This summer, quite unexpectedly, it has returned. Experts say these children may have more severe symptoms if they do get the virus. RSV spreads easily through droplets in the air or from contact with a contaminated surface. A child can pick up RSV when an infected person sneezes or coughs nearby, or by touching a contaminated surface, like a toy, and then putting his fingers in or near his mouth, nose, or eyes.

The virus can live on hard surfaces — such as doorknobs, countertops, and toys — for up to six hours, and on soft surfaces — like hands or tissues — for 30 minutes or more. Mild RSV symptoms are similar to upper respiratory tract infections, like the common cold.

They include:. In children, RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia. At least a quarter of children have signs of one of these lung disorders when they contract RSV for the first time. Although most children recover from RSV without any complications, some are at a higher risk of developing a more serious infection, which may require treatment in the hospital.

This involves suctioning nasal secretions or swabbing your child's nose. If a rapid RSV test isn't an option, the sample may go to a lab for analysis. The doctor will also do a physical exam and may use a pulse oximeter to test the level of oxygen in your child's blood with a sensor painlessly attached to a finger or toe to make sure that your child is getting enough oxygen.

To check for pneumonia, the doctor may order a chest X-ray, although this usually isn't necessary. Babies who are at least 3 months old and otherwise healthy don't need to see a doctor just to get a definite RSV diagnosis.

Like the common cold, there's no cure for RSV. Mild symptoms may simply go away on their own in a week or two. The cough may linger. Symptoms are usually worst on days three through five. If your child develops pneumonia as a complication of RSV, he may be prescribed antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. Antibiotics won't work to treat RSV on its own because it's a virus. It's not the same illness as bronchitis, which is an infection of the larger airways of the lungs. The symptoms of bronchiolitis include:.

Breathing from the belly or retracted breathing between the ribs or lower neck. In infants and in young children, RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections. RSV is most common in infants between 2 and 8 months of age.

In fact, RSV is so common that nearly all children get the infection by the time they reach 3 years old. Luckily, in most cases, it will only cause cold-like symptoms. For a smaller number of children, the RSV infection may lead to bronchiolitis, which may need medical care. RSV is highly contagious, especially from October through March—the cold and flu season.

It can spread through saliva droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. It can live on surfaces like countertops for up to 6 hours, and your hands for up to 30 minutes or even more.

Your child can get infected after touching anything that has been contaminated, and then touching his mouth, nose, or eyes. The RSV virus can spread quickly at daycare centers and schools. Your baby can easily get it at daycare or from an older sibling who carries the virus home from school.