Comments on: Treating respiratory syncytial virus — nothing works

By: Christopher

Christopher — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:42:44 +0000

Hi Monica:

Yes, later cases, especially in older, otherwise healthy children, are generally less severe. Most of the time it’s just a cold.

By: Monica

Monica — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:59:56 +0000

Thank you for this article regarding RSV. My five year old daughter was in the hospital for hypoxia, fever, and cough this past week. She was put on oxygen, breathing treatments, and steroids. The test came back showing that it was indeed RSV. Since she is already ‘older’, if she were to get it again do you think it would be as bad?

Thank you!
Monica

By: Christopher

Christopher — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 20:11:39 +0000

Hi Amy:

Getting RSV again (typically during the next winter season) is not uncommon. As your doctor said, subsequent cases are usually not as severe. A main reason for this is that RSV is generally worse in infants, so an older child, such as a toddler, tends to have less trouble. Unfortunately, immunity to RSV is not very good, which is one reason why we’ve been unable to develop a vaccine against it. Adults who are exposed to small children typically get RSV every few years or so.

By: AMY

AMY — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 18:23:01 +0000

Thank you for the information. My son has been diagnosed for the second time with RSV. The first time was last January at 4 months old. He was hospitalized for a week. This time (15 months old) we ended up in the ER last night after coughing for 2 weeks and a high fever (105.5). Although the doctor told us that this case should be milder on our son, I am still concerned.

How common is it for children to get diagnosed with RSV more than once? Is it typically easier the second time? If so, is that because the child is older, or because they have some anitbodies to it (not sure if that would be the correct terminology)? How likely is my son to get it again (whether it be this season, or future ones)?

Thank you so much for the information.

Amy in NC

By: Christopher

Christopher — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:22:52 +0000

Hi Sangy:

The thing with RSV is that sometimes the effects of the infection — the wheezing — can persist for several weeks or more after the infection itself if long gone. So she may need to be on the medications for a few months, and may get worse wheezing again if she gets another viral respiratory infection.

There’s good data about inhaled steroids (i.e. budesonide) and there are no long term effects — it’s not like taking steroids by mouth.

By: Sang

Sang — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:11:32 +0000

Dr.Johnson,
Thanks for the detailed information about RSV. My toddler has been suffering from wheezing for the past one month and she’s been put on albuterol and budesonide. We give her the breathing treatment twice daily and she feels better after the treatment. The pediatrician diagnosed her condition as RSV infection but how long does the infection last?
How long should we put her on the medication? Do we have to take a chest x-ray? Will the steroid affect her in the long run?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you
Sangy