NEW ORLEANS - It's cold outside and, in addition to staying warm; you need to take precautions to avoid respiratory infections because this time of year is the prime time for these viruses to spread. Every year, as the temperatures fall, infections such as the common cold, flu, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia go up and these infections are very contagious.
"In addition to being quite common, respiratory infections are easily transferred from person to person via direct contact such as shaking hands or kissing or through indirect contact in which a person touches a surface touched by an infected person like a doorknob," says Dr. Rebecca Hutchings, Pediatrician and Director of Emergency Services in the Ochsner Medical Center ER. In fact, these infections are so common, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly all children will be infected by their second birthday.
Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is the most common cause of all respiratory infections. While the virus typically causes cold-like symptoms in adults, it can be more serious in infants and young children, especially those with other conditions affecting the lungs, heart or immune system. Children are more likely to develop serious illnesses such as bronchiolitis and croup as a result of a respiratory infection. Signs that your child may need to see a doctor include:
• High fever
• Thick nasal discharge
• A cough that continues to worsen, producing yellow, green or gray mucus
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Dehydration
"Treatment of RSV does not involve antibiotics since antibiotics are used to fight bacterial infections not viruses; however, there are ways to treat a child with a mild case at home," advises Dr. Hutchings:
• Make the child as comfortable as possible, allowing for plenty of recovery time
• Ensure that the child drinks plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer during the winter months to moisten the internal air (be sure to clean the vaporizer daily with bleach to prevent mold)
• Treat fever with non-aspirin fever medication
Steps to reduce your risk of respiratory infection include:
• Frequent hand washing
• Disinfecting hard surfaces with soap and water
• Not sharing cups or eating utensils
• Staying away from people with cold-like symptoms
• Receiving a seasonal flu shot as well as the H1N1 vaccine
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