Child virus RSV on the increase

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Doctors at the Dell Children's Medical Center report they are seeing a jump in a potentially dangerous flu among young infants. It is known as RSV, or repiratory syncytial virus.

Nearly all children by the age of two or three will get it, and most cases are mild. However young or premature infants, inftants with chronic lung or heart disease and infants with immune system problems are most at risk.

It appears two to eight days after infection. The early symptoms are innocent enough. Runny nose and cough, but these are followed by vomiting, fever and wheezing. Albuterol can ease breathing in about 25 percent pf patients, but more severe cases may require an oxygen ventilator or travenous fluids.

Dell Children's Medical Center says nearly half the infants they test are positive. That tranlsates to fifty to seventy cases a day. Assistant Director of the Emergency Department, Dr. Sujit Iyer says, "The biggest thing parents need to be aware of are the complications that make the kid so ill they can't be treated at home. They're too young and working too hard to breath.' If a child may be treated at home Dr. Iyer recommends, :"Nose drops, tylenol and plenty of fluids. That's about all you can do."

Parents can take some precautions. Wash your hands and your child's often. Also wash anything they may put in their mouth, such as toys. Avoid sick people and smokers.

RSV hospitalizes 125,000 American children every year and one to two percent die. The virus is peaking right now and should wind down in late April.