Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy > Conditions and therapies > Respiratory syncytial virus
Respiratory syncytial virus
PrintRSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common virus that can cause an infection of the lungs. Children with RSV can experience severe breathing problems that can result in hospitalization. In fact, each year, an estimated 125,000 children in the United States are hospitalized with severe RSV infections, one of the leading causes of infant hospitalizations.
In many children, RSV causes a cold and cough. However, premature babies and those with lung, heart or immunity problems are at risk for RSV. RSV occurs most often from fall to spring, but the RSV season may vary by region.
Select any question to learn more about respiratory syncytial virus below:
How can my child get RSV?
What treatments are available?
What are the warning signs of RSV?
How can I protect my child from RSV?
Where can I find more information?
Healthy Pointers
How can my child get RSV?
It is easy to catch RSV. This is a very common virus and is spread by any physical contact—such as touching, kissing, and shaking hands—with an infected person. The germs are also spread through the air by sneezing or coughing. What's more, RSV can live for hours on a countertop or on a used tissue. The infection is very common in crowded living areas and day care centers. That is why you must be careful to take steps to prevent your child from being exposed to RSV.
What treatments are available?
To protect your child from RSV, your doctor can prescribe Synagis® (palivizumab). This is an injection that is given into the muscle. When given to your child, it increases his or her immunity to RSV. The immunity from one injection lasts about a month. It's important to keep your Synagis appointments throughout the RSV season to keep your child protected.
What are the warning signs of RSV?
Call your pediatrician right away if your child shows any signs of a serious RSV infection:
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever
- Bluish skin
How can I protect my child from RSV?
There are a few simple things you can do to protect your child from RSV. First, keep your child away from others who have RSV. Also, keep all of your doctor and injection appointments. The time between injections needs to be just right. This assures that your child has the immunity needed to be protected from RSV.
Where can I find more information?
Learning about your child's treatment is important. To find out more about RSV and its prevention, please visit: www.rsvprotection.com.
Healthy Pointers:
Make sure you and other people who are around your child are very careful to avoid giving RSV to your child. Follow these rules:
- Require that everyone wash hands with warm water and soap before touching your child.
- Avoid being around your child if you have a cold, fever or runny nose. When necessary, it may be helpful to wear a mask.
- Stay away from crowded areas like shopping malls and community events.
- Kissing your child can spread RSV infection if you have the virus. If you have any symptoms of illness, hug your child gently, or stroke your child's head instead.
- Try to keep other young children away from your child.
- Do not smoke around your child. Exposure to cigarette smoke increases the risk of RSV.
- If you are breastfeeding your child, continue as long as is possible (at least one year).
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Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.