One Virus Leads To 7% Of All Pediatrician Visits

Respiratory syncytial virus is a childhood infection that’s responsible for 7% of visits to a pediatrician and 2% of all emergency room trips.

This virus causes 0.2% of all inpatient hospital stays.

This disease strikes all younger children and also affects some older children as well.

This makes Syncytial virus a more serious virus than influenza, which indicates that more attention needs to be put towards finding vaccines for syncytial.

The only children who have heightened risk for syncytial are children who are born prematurely [Preterm babies].

Being in day care, having other children at home, having been breast-fed and even living in a home with a smoker didn’t seem to have an effect on syncytial.

What is respiratory syncytial virus?

This virus is a lower respiratory tract infection that mostly occurs during winter months.

This virus mostly only causes typical flu symptoms, but some serious complications can occur with children who are premature and children who have lung problems.

But this virus is the number one cause of phenomena in children. This virus can also cause bronchiolitis, which leads to coughing and an inability to breath.

Bronchiolitis requires hospitalization and can sometimes lead to death. As of now, there is no known treatment for bronchiolitis.

Prevention of respiratory syncytial virus

As of now, there is no way to prevent this virus since it can be found in most parts of the world. There is no vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus, but scientists are working hard to try and come up with a vaccine.

How do I know if my infant has syncytial virus?

Your infant will have symptoms like a runny and stuffy nose, cough, wheezing and fever.

These symptoms begin within a week of exposure. Young infants often grunt, flare their nostrils, and draw their chest muscles in exposing their ribs.

With healthy infants, respiratory syncytial virus lasts for one or two weeks, though the wheezing [Wheezing signs]can last a month or longer.

When should I call a doctor?

Call a doctor when your infant has a high fever, a severe cough, difficulty eating, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, grunting, flaring of the nostrils, chest retractions or bluish lips or fingers. Any sign that your infant is not able to breath is a medical emergency.

Help relieve your child’s flu symptoms

Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest and fluids. Offer small meals that are easily digested. Ask your doctor if you can give your child children’s Tylenol or ibuprofen.

Make sure your child frequently washes his hands in order to prevent the flu from being passed around more.

Though respiratory syncytial virus cannot be prevented, you can prevent the flu by giving your child a flu shot. Also, keep your baby away from crowds in order to minimize contact with those who might have the flu.