Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
How is it treated?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a viral infection. Unfortunately, there are no medications available to cure the viral infection and treatment is individualized based on the severity of the infection. Because RSV is a virus, antibiotics, which are commonly used to treat bacterial infections, are not effective. The treatment of RSV is aimed mainly at relieving symptoms.
RSV infections that are mild are usually self-limiting. This means that once an infection occurs, it must "run its course". RSV infections in infants and children are generally mild in nature and can be treated at home. For mild infections, treatment focuses on alleviating the symptoms such as fever, cough, and congestion. It is important to be sure that the infant is able to breath, drink, eat and sleep comfortably. More severe RSV infections that compromise a child's breathing may require hospitalization. Read on to learn more about how to help alleviate RSV symptoms.
Treating a Fever
If the child has a fever, medications may be used to reduce the fever. Even though fever is the body's natural defense to fight off bacteria and viruses, it is important to reduce a fever because it can be uncomfortable and a prolonged high fever can lead to complications such as febrile seizures. A non-aspirin medication should be used to reduce fever in children. Examples of non-aspirin medications that reduce fever are acetaminophen (Tylenol or Panadol) and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). Aspirin should be avoided in children less than 15 years of age because it has been associated with a rare, but serious and sometimes fatal, condition called Reye's syndrome when given to children with viral infections.
Preventing Dehydration
Keeping your child well hydrated is also very important when the child is infected with RSV. Adequate hydration can prevent dehydration, which often occurs because child is unwilling to eat or drink when infected with RSV. Dehydration can also accompany fever. Encouraging your child to drink plenty of fluids, such as water or juices, can prevent dehydration. If your child has a severe infection and is hospitalized, fluids may be provided through an intravenous (IV) line.
Relieving Congestion
Infants and young children with RSV may require bulb suctioning of the nose to remove excess mucus. Removal of the mucus should make it easier for the infant or child to breath. Bulb suctioning may even make the infant or child more comfortable when performed before napping or bedtime or before eating, thus encouraging the infant to sleep or eat better.
Breathing Treatments
Children who have difficulty breathing and require hospitalization may also require supplemental oxygen therapy. Oxygen is frequently supplied through a mask or nasal prongs.
Breathing treatments are commonly used to help open the airways. An instrument called a nebulizer may be used to help deliver medication deep into the lungs. Medications most frequently used for breathing treatments are beta-2 agonists (such as albuterol). Beta-2 agonists work by helping open the airways in the lungs allowing for more oxygen to enter the lungs, thereby enabling the child to breath easier.
Corticosteroids are also frequently used to treat RSV. They are used to reduce the inflammation in the lungs that leads to difficulty breathing. However, most clinical studies failed to show consistent evidence of clinical improvement after their use. Older children and children with a history of airway disease are more likely to benefit from corticosteroids, and it is recommended that corticosteroids only be used in such individuals.
Ribavirin, an antiviral, may also be given as a breathing treatment; however, ribavirin is only approved for hospitalized infants infected with RSV. Even though ribavirin is approved for hospitalized infants with RSV, the use of ribavirin has been limited because it is expensive and the overall benefit has yet to be proven. Researchers are currently investigating its role in RSV treatment.
Nasal products that contain sodium chloride, such as ocean nasal drops, or lubricant, such as polyethylene glycol (Rhinaris Lubricating Mist), may be used to keep nasal passageways moist when they are dried and irritated. A cool mist vaporizer may also help keep nasal passageways moist.
Preventing RSV in High-Risk Patients
In instances when children are at extremely high risk for developing RSV, there are medications such as palivizumab (Synagis) or RSV immune globulin (RespiGam) that may be used to prevent these individuals from becoming infected with RSV. Click on the link below to learn more about these preventative medications.
Drug classes used to treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Anti-virals Immune Globulin Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists Monoclonal Antibodies
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How is it treated?
