The Department of Health advices the public of a recent outbreak of respiratory illnesses in the territory due to the Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Tests conducted at the DOH and LBJ Hospital laboratories have confirmed positive cases of the virus.
This is the same outbreak that the nurse in charge of Infection Prevention at LBJ Hospital Sharmain Mageo spoke about earlier this week. (See story here on talanei).
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
DOH says, “While most healthy people recover in a week or two, RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 1 in the United States.”
There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, but you can take steps to relieve the symptoms.
DOH advices that anyone with flu-like symptoms should avoid going in public (including going to school or reporting to work) and should stay home until symptoms subside.
If you are at risk for a severe respiratory infection or if you interact with older adults, you should take extra precautions to stay healthy.
- Wear a mask, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue
- Avoid close contact with other when one is symptomatic
- Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and
- Clean frequently touched surfaces
