What is RSV affecting children this winter? Know about symptoms and treatment

As winter has set in, common illnesses during the season can be seen affecting the vulnerable including children and the elderly. One such is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus also known as RSV. The disease if not checked on time can turn out to be serious leading to hospitalization of the patient.

The virus mostly affects young children with low immunity In the United Kingdom. Every year at the start of winter, especially early October the virus sets in and reaches its peak in December and January. The disease has seen a rise in cases in the last two years. RSV is a common virus that affects children and adults equally. This infection in the elderly can lead to complications.

The common symptoms found in children infected with the virus show mild symptoms such as runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. These symptoms can be seen in stages rather than all together. However, symptoms in very young children are irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.


As far as complications are concerned, Respiratory Syncytial Virus can lead to a chest infection called bronchiolitis, which mainly affects children below two years of age. The disease is usually mild and can be treated at home. But the NHS says that it can sometimes become serious and may need hospitalization.

According to the NHS, there is a difference between bronchiolitis and bronchitis. While bronchitis causes coughing with lots of mucus and can affect people of all ages, the symptoms of bronchiolitis are breathing more quickly, difficulty in eating, noisy breathing (wheezing), and becoming irritable.

According to the NHS, the symptoms get worse on the third and fifth day and coughs subside in three weeks. Children born prematurely are at high risk of getting seriously infected.

As such there is no specific treatment for RSV but the treatment is in the line to relieve the symptoms. The anti-viral drug, ribavirin has been licensed for treating RSV and is sometimes used in severe cases, but its effectiveness has not yet been established.

Moreover, the UK's medicines regulator in November 2022 had approved a vaccine to prevent RSV in infants and toddlers.

FAQs:

What is RSV?
RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a viral disease that is more common in winter. It mostly infects toddlers with low immunity.

What are the medicines to cure RSV?
There is no specific treatment for RSV. The antiviral drug ribavirin has been licensed for treatment, but its effectiveness has not yet been established.