“I really liked camp because it taught me a lot about my asthma. At the camp I learned how to breathe better when I run. Now I can run farther without getting tired. Before the camp I would wheeze at night and it was hard to sleep. Now I sleep better.”

Luis De La Torre,
Asthma Camper,
San Jose

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV can affect anyone from infancy to old age and can be reoccurring. In infancy RSV may cause severe illness, but later in life it may only cause cold-like symptoms. The body builds up partial immunity at each instance of RSV, however your body will never build a full immunity.

What is RSV?

The RSV virus causes an infection of the lungs and breathing passages.

Causes

RSV is passed from person to person through infected nasal and oral fluids. It enters the body when eyes or nose are touched.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be mild and can include couch, stuffy or runny nose, mild soar throat, fever, listlessness, irritability, poor appetite and apnea.

Treatment

Children with severe RSV may require oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. Ribavirin aerosol may also be used. RSV may be prevented include infection-control practices such as hand washing.