Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Kersia Healthcare
A Global Leader in Hospital Disinfection, providing high-level broad-spectrum NaDCC infection prevention products.
Why are cases of RSV, (respiratory syncytial virus) a common respiratory virus which usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms rising?
In most cases of RSV, people recover within a week or two, but serious cases can occur in infants and older adults. RSV can lead to lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia (1).
Symptoms of RSV include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing (2). These symptoms are generally shown within 4 to 6 days post-infection. RSV can be difficult to detect in young infants, with irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties often being the only symptoms. The chances of developing a severe infection are greatest for children less than 10 weeks old, premature babies and children under the age of two with chronic lung or congenital heart disease. Babies and young children who are immunocompromised or have a weak immune system are also vulnerable.
Know The Symptoms:
Once infected, the RSV virus multiplies in the nose, eyes and airway passages. Transmission is caused by an infected person coughing or sneezing which allows transmission of virus droplets (3). As with many viruses, there is no specific treatment, management of symptoms is the best course of action. With no vaccine available, it is important to protect those who are at risk.
Cases of RSV tend to rise in the colder months, however this year, cases are particularly high. In Ireland alone, 650 cases were reported within one week (1) with a total of 731 reported cases to date. It is estimated that RSV leads to approximately 2.1 million outpatient visits in children younger than five in the US each year (4).
Changes in the pattern of this virus have been seen since the pandemic. Measures, such as wearing masks and social distancing, were effective in decreasing the spread of other common viruses, such as RSV. With restrictions lifted, we are now exposed to these viruses once again.?
Remember the simple steps we all took to reduce contamination and re-infection. Washing our hands correctly with soap and water and covering our noses and mouths correctly while sneezing and ensuring young children are taught to do the same during their regular hygiene routines.
The respiratory syncytial virus can survive on surfaces for 24 hours, and can easily be spread indirectly simply by using utensils handled by an infected person. High-touch surfaces are those we frequently use like handrails, door knobs, light switches, chairs, tables, lift control panels, and remote controls. Communal bathroom surfaces are another high-touch area that should be viewed as a viral transmission risk.
Ensuring effective cleaning and disinfection with approved products and procedures in hospitals, restaurants, schools, school buses, childcare and hospitality sectors is extremely important at all times. Klorkleen 2 is a cleaning and disinfection product that has been approved by the US EPA to eliminate viruses like RSV within 10 minutes @ 538ppm
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We were delighted to have our NaDCC chemistry approved for an 18-month study by Chief Epidemiologist Dr Michael Phillips and his colleagues at NYUL.
A link to “The Evaluation of Electrolyzed water, Sodium dichloroisocyanurate [NaDCC] and Peracetic Acid with Hydrogen Peroxide, for the disinfection of patient room surfaces”?can be found here: https://www.nadcctablet.com/https-www-nadcctablet-com-blog/
Stay safe and remember to #DisinfecttoProtect!
References
(1) https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/1123/1337749-rsv-cases-surge-young-children-2022/