Health Centres - Respiratory syncytial virus (RS-virus)
What is RS-virus?
RS-virus is short for respiratory syncytial virus which, in the winter months, is a common cause of acute bronchitis in small children.
It typically infects children under the age of two, particularly those aged less than six months. However, the disease is rarely life-threatening and most children recover fully without any permanent problems.
RS-virus is usually transmitted from one person to another by direct contact. While an adult or older child may merely have the symptoms of a common cold, younger children and babies may develop severe exhaustion and admission to hospital may be necessary.
What are the symptoms?
In small children, the disease usually begins with a runny nose and sneezing. The temperature then rises to about 38-39°C and the child starts coughing and has problems breathing.
Symptoms usually develop within a few hours, but the most critical period normally comes two to three days after coughing starts.
The smaller airways in the lungs are then affected and breathing may become even more difficult and painful. This can cause the child to hyperventilate (breathe rapidly).
Whistling sounds from the chest, a pale complexion and bluish discolouration around the mouth and under the fingernails are all possible signs that the child's condition has become more serious.
Children under the age of six months will have trouble breastfeeding and their sleep will be affected by breathing difficulties.
In complicated cases - although these are rare - it might become almost impossible for the child to breathe. The problematic breathing combined with a high temperature may also cause the child to lose fluids which they don't replace.
Symptoms can include:
- drowsiness
- cold, dry, pale skin
- sunken eyes
- a fast pulse
- sunken fontanelles (the soft spot on the top of the head in children under the age of one).
How is it treated?
There is no vaccine available to treat or protect against RS-virus.
Children under the age of six months are often admitted to hospital if they contract the RS-virus - especially if they have trouble breathing, eating, drinking or sleeping.
Often the child is given oxygen to help their breathing, or medicines that open up the breathing tubes. If the child suffers severely from lack of fluids it may be necessary to provide fluid intravenously through a drip.
Antibiotics have no effect as the disease is caused by a virus and not a bacteria.
Older children can usually be looked after at home.
Although the child recovers from the disease within a week, many children keep coughing for a long time afterwards.
How do you prevent an RS-infection from developing?
Those with colds should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before cooking, eating or using the bathroom, and also after blowing their nose.
Good advice
Children under the age of six months should be kept away from people with a cold. This is especially important in the winter, particularly if the baby is premature or the child has a heart condition.
It is important to keep an eye on the child and ensure they can breathe and do not lack fluids. Make the child drink as much as possible. Put extra pillows under the child's head or, if the child is small, raise the head of the bed. This makes breathing easier.
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