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RSV disease is attacking with redoubled force this fall. Since the beginning of the season, doctors have been observing an increase in RS virus infections among children. Is the disease, which in the case of young patients may be hospitalized, also dangerous for adults? It depends.
- RSV is mainly associated with a disease that threatens children
- But the RS virus can also be dangerous for adults
- Age is key here, as well as health. RSV can be bad for seniors and immunocompromised people
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
RSV in adults. What are the symptoms of the disease?
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a virus that can be infected by airborne droplets. It is spread through contact with a sick person or their secretions – e.g. when they sneeze or cough. We can also get infected with RSV by drinking from the same bottle, eating with the same cutlery or by kissing.
- Also check: RS virus attacks with double power. “Something like that has never happened before”
The RSV incubation period is two to eight days. The disease caused by the virus can last from several days to even several weeks (in case of severe course). Although RSV is mainly associated with childhood disease, adults are also infected with the virus. If the course is mild, the symptoms resemble the common cold. There may be conjunctivitis or sinusitis.
– Typical symptoms of RS virus infection are: runny nose, quite high fever, cough initially mainly dry, then wet, breathing difficulties, rapid breathing, wheezing – lists Prof. Andrzej Emeryk, Head of the Department of Lung Diseases and Pediatric Rheumatology at the University Children’s Hospital in Lublin. – The appearance of the last three symptoms suggests a severe course of the disease and is an absolute indication for reporting to the Emergency Room, as is the decrease in hemoglobin saturation below 92%.
The rest of the text is below the video.
Is RSV dangerous for adults?
Currently, doctors are seeing a large increase in the number of RSV infections among children. Adults also must take care of themselves now, especially since this virus is highly contagious. But in a healthy adult, the risk of having a severe course of the disease is much less than in children. RSV primarily threatens two groups.
– The risk group is the elderly, immunocompromised people, asthma, COPD, after cancer treatment or transplant. It is in them that the RS virus can cause severe pneumonia. And these are infections mainly from sick young children. It is therefore important when contacting sick children to follow similar rules as for COVID-19 (mask, washing hands) – adds prof. Emeric.
In adults from outside these groups, the disease resolves spontaneously, and possible treatment consists only in relieving the symptoms, e.g. by cough or runny medications. However, when RSV is infected by a patient at risk, hospitalization may be necessary. The virus can lead to serious complications such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This is a must have in your first aid kit! You can buy an electronic wireless thermometer at Medonet Market.
Also read:
- The R index in Poland is growing. Where is the tallest?
- A year ago, it was almost 30. infections daily. Is it waiting for us now?
- The number of deaths after the pandemic terrifies doctors. «Whoever survived, survived. And whoever was weaker died »
- Are we ready for the fourth wave? Doctor: there is confusion