Q:
Can older adults get respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
A:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause infections in the lungs and respiratory tract. It is a contagious illness that spreads very fast. The virus can spread through the air or direct contact, and it can enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
Almost everyone knows RSV is very common in children, and it’s especially dangerous for premature babies and infants. However, fewer people know RSV is also life-threatening for older adults. The situation can be worse if the older adults suffer with asthma, congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
You should pay attention to the symptoms of RSV in older adults and check yourself regularly. The symptoms include:
- Headache.
- Sore throat.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Stuffy or runny nose.
- Wheezing (sever infection).
- Rapid breathing or difficult breathing (sever infection).
- Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen (sever infection).
You are very lucky if you don’t have RSV, but you also need to pay attention to some preventions because it’s contagious.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Quit smoke.
- Keep things clean.
- Don’t share drinking glasses with others.
If you have gotten RSV, there are some remedies that help you relieve your symptoms at home.
- Drink fluids to loosen thickened secretions.
- Use saline nasal drops to ease congestion.
- Keep the room warm but not overheated to create moist air to breathe.
If your symptoms become worse, please talk to you doctor for more treatments.
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