How does the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affect infants?
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Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann answered:In newborns and infants, RSV can migrate into the lungs and cause bronchiolitis, an inflammation and infection of the tiny airways of the lungs. It can cause very serious trouble breathing and wheezing, especially in babies who were born prematurely or who have heart or lung disease. For these high-risk babies there is a shot available called palivizumab (Synagis) to help protect them from catching RSV. It is given once a month from October through April, when RSV is most prevalent.
Ask your pediatrician if your infant qualifies. There is no medication to treat RSV, only symptomatic care such as suctioning the nasal congestion. Even asthma medications that are often used to treat wheezing caused by asthma rarely will help wheezing from RSV. If your infant is having trouble breathing, she may need to be hospitalized for oxygen, breathing treatments, or fluids.
Find out more about this book: Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents' Top 101 Questions About Babies and...
In newborns and infants, RSV can migrate into the lungs and cause bronchiolitis, an inflammation and infection of the tiny airways of the lungs. It can cause very serious trouble breathing and wheezing, especially in babies who were born prematurely... More
