Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Running head: (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
(RSV)
By
Natalie Jache
December 03, 2006
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Introduction
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a very common respiratory virus that displays mild cold like symptoms in adults and older children. In children under two, particularly those born prematurely, are immunocompromised, as well as those with heart and lung disease, RSV can be a potentially life threatening disease. RSV commonly occurs in epidemics in the winter and early spring.
Pathophysiology
RSV is a highly contagious virus and is related to Para influenza, mumps and measles (Cooper, Banasiak & Allen, 2003), which almost every child will have had by the age of three. Reoccurring infections …show more content…
Home remedies would include rest and maintaining good fluid and caloric intake. Nasal drops may be used to clear secretions to make breathing easier. Analgesics and antipyretics to can also be used to control pain and fever. Parents should be instructed to monitor for signs of increased breathing difficulty, decreased fluid intake, and fever and pain management. They should further be instructed to contact a health care provider if any of these symptoms worsen or if they have any questions at all. (Cooper, et, al, …show more content…
In these particular cases, respiratory rate may be more than 70 breaths per minute; retractions may be noted, as well as poor fluid intake and lethargy (Cooper, et, al, 2003). "The degree of medical intervention is usually determined by the child's level of oxygenation as indicated by pulse oximetry and/or arterial blood gases" (Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). One treatment would be oxygen therapy by way of "humidified mist therapy combined with oxygen" (Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). This would be delivered by nasal canula, oxygen tent or isolet "in concentrations sufficient to alleviate dyspnea and hypoxia."(Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). "Ventilatory assistance (i.e., intubation) should be considered for infants with recurrent apnea or severe oxygen desaturation" (Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). Other treatments may include intravenous fluids to maintain proper hydration, bronchioldialators to assist in opening up airways to make breathing easier as well as corticosteroids, and antiviral medications. A constant monitor of oxygen levels is necessary as well as heart monitors in some
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
(RSV)
By
Natalie Jache
December 03, 2006
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Introduction
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a very common respiratory virus that displays mild cold like symptoms in adults and older children. In children under two, particularly those born prematurely, are immunocompromised, as well as those with heart and lung disease, RSV can be a potentially life threatening disease. RSV commonly occurs in epidemics in the winter and early spring.
Pathophysiology
RSV is a highly contagious virus and is related to Para influenza, mumps and measles (Cooper, Banasiak & Allen, 2003), which almost every child will have had by the age of three. Reoccurring infections …show more content…
Home remedies would include rest and maintaining good fluid and caloric intake. Nasal drops may be used to clear secretions to make breathing easier. Analgesics and antipyretics to can also be used to control pain and fever. Parents should be instructed to monitor for signs of increased breathing difficulty, decreased fluid intake, and fever and pain management. They should further be instructed to contact a health care provider if any of these symptoms worsen or if they have any questions at all. (Cooper, et, al, …show more content…
In these particular cases, respiratory rate may be more than 70 breaths per minute; retractions may be noted, as well as poor fluid intake and lethargy (Cooper, et, al, 2003). "The degree of medical intervention is usually determined by the child's level of oxygenation as indicated by pulse oximetry and/or arterial blood gases" (Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). One treatment would be oxygen therapy by way of "humidified mist therapy combined with oxygen" (Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). This would be delivered by nasal canula, oxygen tent or isolet "in concentrations sufficient to alleviate dyspnea and hypoxia."(Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). "Ventilatory assistance (i.e., intubation) should be considered for infants with recurrent apnea or severe oxygen desaturation" (Cooper et al., 2003, p.454). Other treatments may include intravenous fluids to maintain proper hydration, bronchioldialators to assist in opening up airways to make breathing easier as well as corticosteroids, and antiviral medications. A constant monitor of oxygen levels is necessary as well as heart monitors in some