It looks and sounds like a cold, but respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can become something more.What should you do about it?And when should you take your child to a pediatrician?Eighteen-month-old Janie woke up with a fever, stuffy nose, and some crankiness.She was coughing, and her breathing seemed to be a little labored.Great — another cold, her mom thought.But is it a cold, or could it be respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?If your child is otherwise healthy, like Janie, then RSV may only produce the symptoms of the common cold.Wheezing and grunting with each breath or fast breathing may also occur.But if a premature infant, a young infant, or a child with a health condition that affects the lungs, heart, or immune system comes down with RSV, then the impact can be much greater.Those at high risk could develop bronchiolitis or pneumonia.In fact, RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations for bronchiolitis in the United States, according to Henry Bernstein, D.O., FAAP, Chief, General Academic Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School.

“An infant’s chest wall is not very stiff because it is not well-developed,” says John Bradley, M.D., FAAP, Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital San Diego.“An older child has a better-developed chest wall and can cough up the mucus caused by RSV.But a baby can’t do this, so they are more likely to have plugged airways and a greater risk of further inflammation.That is why RSV is such a concern for the very young.” Like most other common colds, RSV is highly contagious and most often occurs in fall and winter (roughly November through April).It can spread directly from person to person, or indirectly when someone touches any object infected with the virus, such as toys, countertops, doorknobs, or pens.Children under the age of 2 are most frequently affected by the very serious symptoms of RSV.The best defense against RSV is to teach and encourage good handwashing habits to your children.In fact, this is the most effective way to avoid infection.

Also, try to steer clear of anyone who has obvious symptoms of a cold as much as you can.Because RSV is so infectious, it spreads easily and quickly at shopping malls, child care centers, and schools.Many times, younger children are infected because an older child brings the virus home.If one child comes down with the virus, it is best to separate the child who has symptoms from others until the symptoms subside.volcano vaporizer cocktailIf at all possible, parents of premature or very young infants and parents of children with a health condition that affects the lungs, heart, or immune system should keep their children away from child care centers during the peak of RSV season.vaporizer ice buster ice melt“Those with RSV can shed the virus for as long as a week,” says Dr. Bernstein, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases.chromalox vaporizer

“That makes it necessary to keep the infected separated from those who have no symptoms for quite some time.” Also, steer clear of tobacco smoke.“Avoiding smoking is key,” Dr. Bernstein emphasizes.“Parents who smoke are more likely to acquire viral respiratory infections and then pass them on to their children.” If a child is otherwise healthy, there is really no need to obtain a formal RSV diagnosis.elluminate vaporizerThe condition will generally run its course without specific medical treatment.das vaporizer-inhalierenIf your child is at higher risk as a premature infant or because of other medical conditions, then a doctor can diagnose RSV by taking a swab of nasal fluids.fender vaporizer eladó

Doctors can also decide which young or premature infants might benefit from RSV antibodies during the peak season.This would likely be children who have heavy scarring of the lungs because they were on a respirator at birth.The antibodies help reduce the likelihood of the child developing pneumonia and can therefore prevent a hospital stay.“These injections are technically engineered, very expensive, and not for every child.But they can make at-risk babies far less sick than they would be otherwise,” says Dr. Bradley, who is also a member of AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases.Because RSV is a virus rather than a bacterial infection, it cannot be treated with antibiotics, and there is no vaccine available yet.“A vaccine is in the laboratory stage, but we probably won’t see anything in human trials for the next couple of years,” Dr. Bradley explains.“And because even natural infection with the virus does not provide perfect immunity from getting RSV again, a vaccine will most likely not provide perfect immunity either.” So what’s a parent to do with a child suffering from RSV?

Here are some guidelines: Knowing how to avoid spreading the virus can help keep your children healthy.And recognizing the symptoms that signal greater inflammation can prevent a trip to the hospital for those a higher risk.The good news is that the majority of children who come in contact with RSV will never know they had anything more than just a “bad cold.Children may need treatment if they show any of the following symptoms: This article was featured in Healthy Children Magazine.To view the full issue, click here.Here at the High Life Social Club, we just celebrated our 3rd 4.20 Party!Here’s to many more!Our establishment is an Amsterdam inspired lounge that provides a cannabis-friendly, social environment for patrons – 18 years or older.Cannabis use is rapidly becoming more acceptable in mainstream North American culture.With this in mind; High Life Social Club aims to provide an environment where we can all relax – vaporize comfortably and safely – all the while bringing a touch of European sophistication to Halifax.