RSV is on the rise locally and the public is being urged to take prevention seriously for the sake of infants and the elderly. According to TriCounty Health Department, there have been approximately 36 local RSV hospitalizations between October 1st and November 15th. RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial (Sin-Sish-Uhl) Virus and usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms that last a week or two. Infants and the elderly, however, experience more serious and life threatening symptoms from the illness. RSV is the most common cause of inflammation of the small airways in the lungs as well as pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age. Prevention of RSV should be common practice as it is much the same for most illnesses. Cover your cough and sneezes. Wash your hands. Avoid close contact with others. Clean frequently touched surfaces. If you have small children at risk avoid contact with sick people. Wash your child’s hands. Avoid touching their face or unwashed hands and limit time spent in contagious settings.
