RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a viral infection like influenza, parainfluenza, or coronavirus. Dr. Naveen Kumar Elawadi (Consultant, Pulmonology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh) said that RSV is very common, especially in children and the elderly. It can cause pneumonia and other infections in adults. This virus infects the nose, throat, lungs ,, and respiratory tract. It spreads through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes,s or kisses.

Symptoms of RSV-

• cough (which can be dry or wet)
• Cold
• Headache
•  Body pain
•  Fever
• Watery nose
• Sometimes if pneumonia spreads too much, it may cause difficulty in breathing.

These people are at greater risk-

In some cases, RSV infection can be serious, especially in people with weak immunity, such as diabetes patients, people on steroids for a long time, people undergoing chemotherapy treatment, high blood pressure or stroke patients, or people above the age of 60. If the infection becomes severe in any of these, it can spread to both lungs, which we call bronchopneumonia. This can also reduce the oxygen level of the patient and in such a situation, the patient has to be admitted to the hospital.

Protect yourself like this-

If the RSV infection is mild in symptoms, you should take fever and cough medicine, drink lots of water to stay hydrated, ed and rest at home. When the seasons change, like winter or summer, there is a “hot-cold” phenomenon. This makes our respiratory system (bag) more sensitive and if there is more pollution in the environment, then its sensitivity increases further. Pollution can also damage the respiratory system and if there is more dust, d, help catchirt or pollution in the changing seasons, then it can be helpful in catching a viral infection.

In such a situation, even minor viral infections can become serious. To avoid this, it is important to drink more water, take rest, and get treatment according to the symptoms. If the infection is viral, then you should consult a doctor and get treatment.