healthspin
by Farhan Siddiqui, MD
Cold symptoms may
signal severe infection
Farhan Siddiqui, MD
Runny nose, congestion, fever and
sore throat might cause you to pass
up tee time, but despite your partner’s
urging, you don’t think it’s worthy of a
trip to the doctor.
You might want to reconsider. Your
symptoms could signal a condition
more serious than the common cold
like respiratory syncytial virus infection
or RSV as it’s widely known.
Although it’s often associated
with smaller children, RSV causes
repeated infections throughout life.
These infections are usually associated
with cold-like symptoms, but severe
respiratory illness may occur. RSV can
be a life-threatening condition in some
individuals.
Infants born prematurely, infants
with congenital heart and lung disease,
children with weakened immune
systems or adults whose immune
systems are compromised (especially
those with cardiac, pulmonary or
immune conditions) should see a
medical professional for evaluation.
A severe RSV infection may require
a hospital stay so that doctors can
monitor and treat breathing problems.
If you have difficulty breathing, a
high fever or a bluish color to the skin
– particularly on the lips and in the
nail beds – you should seek immediate
medical attention.
Once you’ve had RSV, it’s common
for the infection to return. There may
even be a link between severe RSV in
children and the chance of developing
asthma later in life.
RSV enters the body through the
eyes, nose or mouth. It spreads easily
through the air. If someone who is
infected with RSV coughs or sneezes
on you, you can become infected. Or,
if you shake hands with someone with
RSV, you can pick up the virus by
direct contact. Virus can live for hours
on objects like countertops, cribs and
toys. Just by touching the object and
then touching your nose, mouth or
eyes, you’re likely to pick up the virus.
Because it is so easily spread, the
majority of infants are exposed to RSV
by their first birthday. Although many
will have few or very mild symptoms,
others will become very ill and may
require hospitalization. RSV is the
most common cause of bronchiolitis
(inflammation of the airways that
causes wheezing) and pneumonia
among children under 1 year of age.
In the United States, RSV season
typically begins in late October and
can last until April, usually peaking in
January and February. The infection
itself typically lasts two to eight days
from exposure until full recovery.
For more information, contact
your health care provider or schedule
an appointment with a North Oaks
primary care expert at (985) 230-
APPT (2778) or 1 (844) APPT-NOW
(277-8669).
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