Fever, cough, difficulty breathing: These symptoms indicate an RSV infection
Created: 11/28/2022, 9:36 am
By: Vincent Bussow
RSV infection in adults is often asymptomatic.
Because of the corona pandemic, many people could be more susceptible to the virus this season.
(Iconic image) © Dmitriy Melnikov/imago
The RSV season is here and it could be stronger than usual again.
The reason: Corona.
What are the symptoms of the virus?
Frankfurt – The fact that the RSV season starts in November is actually nothing unusual.
This year, however, the medical profession is particularly warning of the respiratory syncytial virus.
The reason for this is that many people have not been confronted with the virus in recent years due to the corona measures and their immune systems are now correspondingly weakened.
While the usual RSV wave failed to materialize in 2020, it returned even stronger in the second year of the pandemic.
Among other things, in the Rhine-Main area, RSV cases put an extreme strain on the children's hospitals.
Children in particular are now at risk again.
In itself, an illness with the RS virus is nothing unusual.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), almost every child goes through an RSV infection by the end of the second year of life.
In older infants and young children, the virus is therefore the most common cause of diseases of the lower respiratory tract and the associated hospital admissions.
Adults can also become infected, although the symptoms are not dissimilar to corona.
RSV and Corona: The common symptoms
As the RKI reports, RSV disease can be asymptomatic, but a primary infection is almost always accompanied by clear symptoms.
These can range from a simple respiratory infection to serious illnesses requiring ventilation.
In the early days, the virus is usually recognizable by a runny nose and coughing.
Breathing problems and vomiting can occur within one to three days.
As with a corona infection, fever is also not uncommon.
Comparison of common symptoms
RSV:
fever, cough, difficulty breathing
Corona virus:
fever, cough, runny nose, headache and body aches
Source: RKI, Federal Ministry of Health
RSV disease: Association of Paediatricians makes recommendation
An RSV infection can be particularly dangerous in newborns and people with previous illnesses.
The symptoms are similar to those in adults, as reported by the Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ).
However, heavy, rapid or loud breathing in particular are alarm signals.
The virus can also be dangerous for adults with previous illnesses, writes the RKI.
A new study shows that corona reinfection can increase the risk of death.
There is no approved vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus.
Adult risk patients therefore only have to be particularly careful during the high season from November to March.
The hygiene measures known from Corona help with this.
On the other hand, the BVKJ recommends passive immunization with antibodies for children during the first one to two years of life.
However, this only lasts for one season.
(vbu)
