RSV The virusthat parents should know about.

Information on a lesser known virus, as well as practical advice on how to minimize the risk of RSV infection.

RSV kennenKinder schützen

Why is there a need for this brochure?

RSV is a very widespread virus. Almost every child is likely to contract RSV by the age of two. And in some cases the RSV infection may prove severe, which of course may be very distressing to you and your child. We have written this brochure in the hope that this can be prevented.

It is designed to help you learn about the virus, and advise you about how to prevent your child from becoming infected.

What exactly is RSV?

RSV (referred to medically as respiratory syncytial virus, or RS virus for short) causes diseases of the airways. Babies and infants are particularly at risk, and RSV is in fact one of the major germs related to airway infections in this age group.

Like common colds, the RS virus very often develops during the cold months of the year, namely in the fall, winter and spring. RSV is transmitted in a similar way to other germs: either by inhaling tiny droplets from the air (such as when someone with RSV sneezes or coughs) or through other routes in the mouth or nose, for example if your child sticks his fingers in his mouth. An aggravating factor is that RSV can survive for many hours on various surfaces, remaining infectious.

Since it is very widespread and easy to catch, almost all children will have suffered from an RSV infection by the time they reach the age of two years. In babies and infants, it will often lead to diseases of the bronchial tubes and lungs (lower airways).

Immunity is not developed by having previously suffered from an RSV infection. Unlike most childhood diseases, it is possible to experience repeated episodes of an RSV infection.

Why should parents of babies and infants be particularly careful?

In general, an RSV infection in adults or healthy children is hardly distinguishable from a common cold with the sniffles or a low fever. Yet in some cases an RSV infection may lead to serious diseases of the airways.

This can happen if the RS virus spreads from the nose or throat (upper airways) into the bronchial tubes or lungs (lower airways). In such a case, RSV can cause inflammation of the lungs or bronchiolitis, for example.

Bronchiolitis (not to be confused with bronchitis) is an inflammation of the small airways, through which air reaches the alveoli.

The route that air takes into the lungs can be envisaged as a tree-like pattern: the large windpipe is the trunk, and the tubes through which the air flows become smaller and smaller, just as the branches of a tree become thinner, until they are as small as the veins in the leaves. If these tiny veins become blocked, the leaf can no longer be supplied properly and the tree becomes ill.

In humans it works in a similar way: if the smallest tubes leading to the alveoli (known as bronchioles) are blocked, i.e. inflamed, we are unable to get enough air.

Currently there is no treatment for acute RSV infection that can fight the cause of the disease. It is only possible to treat the symptoms, such as a fever or breathing difficulties.

If the RSV infection proves severe, hospitalization may be necessary. Artificial respiration may be required, since the body will no longer be obtaining enough oxygen in the normal way.

Some children who have suffered a severe RSV infection may develop asthma or symptoms very similar to those of asthma. As a result, they may suffer from the consequences of an RSV infection for an extended period of time.

Which children are at particular risk of developing a severe RSV infection?

Not all children are equally at risk of a severe RSV infection. Those particularly at risk include premature babies, children with lung diseases, and children with significant congenital heart defects.

If your baby was born before reaching the end of the 37th week of pregnancy, he or she will be classed as premature. Premature babies are believed to be at particular risk of developing a severe RSV infection because their lungs and immune system often have not yet fully developed. Incomplete “nest protection” also plays a part because the protective antibodies of the mother are only transferred to the baby during the last third of pregnancy.

Children with lung diseases are also at increased risk of developing a severe RSV infection. For example, the chronic lung disease BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) can occur in premature babies in particular as a result of artificial respiration. Damage to the lung tissue means that the body’s oxygen supply is not functioning properly.

Babies and infants with significant congenital heart defects are likewise at particular risk. Since the heart and blood vessels function only to a limited degree in such children, they are more susceptible to severe RSV infections.

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As a parent, how can you minimize the risk of RSV infection in your child?Simple and easy hygiene practices and preventive measures can help you reduce your child’s risk of catching an RSV infection.

•Washyourhands Anyone coming into contact with your baby should first wash their hands thoroughly. This applies of course to you, members of the family and friends, and even more so to people you don’t know.

•Keepanythingyourchildislikelytotouchperfectlyclean Since the RS virus can survive for several hours on various surfaces, you should frequently wash and clean tabletops, dishes, baby bottles, and especially children’s toys.

•Duringthecoldmonthsoftheyear,avoidplaceswhere there are a lot of people These areas include buses, trains and subways, waiting rooms, stores, etc. The more your baby comes into contact with people, the greater the risk of catching an infection, including RSV.

•Keeppeoplewithcoldsawayfromyourbaby Proximity to people with colds will increase the risk of infection. So members of the family who have a cold should not come into close contact with your baby.

•Don’t smoke Aside from RSV, cigarette smoke is harmful to any baby – especially to children at risk as mentioned above. Hence you should make sure nobody smokes around your child.

Children at particular risk can be supported in their defense against RSV using a special protective approach known as passive immunization. If your child is at particular risk, your pediatrician can provide you with further information or you can go to our website at:

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