Viral Lung Infections
Viral lung infections include acute bronchitis, viral pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These viral lung infections usually begin as a respiratory virus that spreads to the lungs. If you have bronchitis you will usually have chest pain and a cough. Fever and fatigue are common with bronchitis, as well as a cough that persists for weeks or months. Acute viral bronchitis cannot be treated with antibiotics, and you must wait the virus out for a bout a week. Some people use an inhaler to ease their discomfort. Viral pneumonia can be an extremely uncomfortable illness, with a host of symptoms including coughing, fatigue, fever, aches and pains, and GI symptoms. While antibiotics are not indicated for pneumonia, some antiviral medications can help. Infants can develop both bronchiolitis and RSV at a young age, causing coughing and wheezing. If your young infant shows serious symptoms of cough, fever, and trouble breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
Recently Answered
- Q What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
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RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It is a type of cold virus that is easy to catch and infects most babies under the age of 2 years. Antibiotics will not help RSV because antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. RSV virus is most common in the... Full Answer
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- Q Is there a cure for viral lung infections?
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There is a cure for viral lung infections, and in most cases you don't need to do much to get it. The immune system typically fights the multiplying virus in your body. And if you rest and take care of the fever you experience, your body can fight... Full Answer
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- Q Is empyema life-threatening?
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In most cases, an empyema is not life-threatening. It can be treated with antibiotics and drainage of the infected fluid. If you have pneumonia, empyema could be particularly dangerous. However even then you can, in most cases, be successfully... Full Answer
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- Q Is excessive coughing a sign of viral lung infections?
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If you have a viral lung infection, odds are you will be coughing quite a bit. Excessive coughing is one of the most frequent symptoms of a variety of viral lung infections. In addition, people with a viral lung infection may cough for two weeks... Full Answer
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- Q When should I call 911 or my baby’s pediatrician while he has RSV?
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Call 911 or your local ambulance service right away if your baby: - Is so weak and tired that he hardly responds to you - Is working very hard to breathe or finds it hard to take a breath. - Grunts when he breathes. - Has chest retractions (skin pulling... Full Answer
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- Q How does respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affect premature infants?
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RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, a common virus that affects people of all ages. Most of the time, RSV causes only cold-like symptoms in infants and children. However, in premature infants or infants with lung problems, RSV infections... Full Answer
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- Q When is my baby at risk for catching respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
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RSV occurs in seasonal outbreaks, usually from fall to spring in most areas of the United States. However, a baby can catch RSV any time of the year. Full Answer
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- Q How can my baby catch respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
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How RSV is spread to babies: By touching, kissing, or shaking hands with an infected person Through the air by sneezing or coughing From countertops, used tissues, towels, sheets, blankets, or toys (because RSV can live on these things for... Full Answer
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- Q How can I help prevent my baby catching respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
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How you can prevent RSV infection in your baby: Wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching your baby, and ask others to do the same. Keep people who have colds away from your baby, including brothers and sisters. Parents or other... Full Answer
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- Q How do I protect a child from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
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Dr. M. Jason Sanders, PediatricsRSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) season will soon be upon us, a season that typically spans from late fall to early spring. This can, indeed, be a busy time for infants and young children with RSV, with kiddos presenting to doctors'... Full Answer
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