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| Division of Public Health Services Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers | |
| Bureau of Infectious Disease Control REVISED –January 2018 | |
| RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS | |
| INFECTION (RSV) | |
| RSV is an infection of the small air passages of | |
| the lung causing bronchiolitis and pneumonia. | |
| RSV is most common in children under 1 year of | |
| age but it can affect anyone at any age. Most | |
| children have been infected with RSV by the time | |
| they turn 2 years of age, but only a few will | |
| develop serious illness. Re -infection can occur | |
| throughout life. | |
| What are the symptoms of RSV? | |
| Small infants may have irritability, decreased | |
| activity and breathing difficulties as early | |
| symptoms. Older children may have symptoms | |
| similar to any other respiratory infection, such as | |
| cough, sneezing, fever, runny nose, wheezing, and | |
| decrease in appetite. | |
| How is RSV spread? | |
| RSV is spread when the infected person sneezes | |
| or coughs the droplets into the air. The person | |
| who is at risk then inhales the virus from the air. | |
| The infection can be spread by direct contact with | |
| nasal or oral secretions from the infected person. | |
| Activities such as kissing the face of a child or | |
| coming into c ontact with surfaces that have been | |
| infected with secretions and then rubbing the eyes | |
| or nose can spread RSV. RSV is common in | |
| winter and early spring. | |
| What is the incubation period for RSV? | |
| The incubation period can range from 2 - 8 days | |
| but is usually 4 - 6 days. | |
| How can RSV be prevented? | |
| Steps can be taken to limit exposure and to help | |
| stop the spread of RSV infection: | |
| • Cover coughs and sneezes, | |
| • Wash hands frequently and correctly, | |
| • Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with | |
| others, | |
| • Refrain from kissing others, | |
| • Cleaning contaminated surfaces frequently | |
| (i.e., door knobs, toys, etc.) | |
| Should the child with RSV be excluded? | |
| Children with fever and respiratory symptoms | |
| should be excluded from childcare until they no | |
| longer have a fever. Children with re spiratory | |
| symptoms should be kept separated from children | |
| with high-risk conditions. | |
| Is RSV Reportable? | |
| No. RSV is not reportable by New Hampshire | |
| state law to the Division of Public Health | |
| Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control; | |
| Public Health Pro fessionals are available for | |
| consultation at (603) 271-4496. | |