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Delta County Memorial Hospital has recently encountered patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, some of whom have become quite ill with pneumonia.

The RSV season is expected to last through April 2012

• Bronchiolitis is infection and mucus in the airway tubes

• It usually starts like a common cold, but can progress to a more severe cough, wheezing, difficult breathing, or (for infants) a pause in breathing.

• Hospital admission may be required for oxygen and fluids support if more severe disease develops.

• High risk populations typically include kids attending daycare, or those with underlying lung or heart disease, prematurity, a poor immune system, asthma/secondhand smoke exposure, and especially infants under 6 months old. This season, however, DCMH has seen unusually severe disease in children 2 years old.

• Transmission is usually through direct contact (hands with secretions touching nose, mouth, or eyes); older siblings may infect the younger kids.

• Call your doctor if your child shows any increased problem with breathing, has fever >100.4 (<3 months old), or fever >100.4 for more than 3 days (>3 months old), or is not taking enough fluids for normal urine output

• Call 911 if your child stops breathing, turns pale or blue, is grunting to breathe, or is getting tired of working hard to breathe.

To prevent RSV, avoid passive smoke exposure; stay away from adults and children who are sick; avoid childcare centers especially for higher risk kids and infants; and wash hands frequently with soap and water or with alcohol hand rubs.

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