Many people could have a potentially severe respiratory illness, mistakenly attributing their symptoms to the flu. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can mimic cold and flu symptoms but can pose serious risks for infants and older adults.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports that cases of both influenza and RSV are on the rise across the UK as we approach the middle of the winter season. RSV tends to spread more widely during the colder months and is highly contagious.
Recent data from the UKHSA reveals that RSV positivity increased to 10 per cent in the week between November 24 and 30, up from 8.7 per cent the previous week. NHS guidelines indicate that nearly all children contract RSV at least once before they turn two.
However, babies and older adults are susceptible to complications from an RSV infection, including pneumonia, which may necessitate hospital treatment in some instances. Infants are also at risk of developing bronchiolitis, a chest infection that can progress into a serious lung infection.
Thankfully, the risk of infection can be reduced by taking precautions to prevent its spread, particularly if you’re exhibiting symptoms of an RSV infection.
RSV symptoms
According to the NHS, people infected with RSV will typically show symptoms within the first few days of infection. This can include a variety of symptoms, many of which are similar to the flu or the common cold:
- A cough
- A high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)
- A runny or blocked nose
- Tiredness
- Sneezing
- A cough that gets worse
- Shortness of breath
- Faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
- Difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
- Wheezing
- Confusion (in older adults)
Symptoms from an RSV infection usually get better on their own without further treatment. However, there may be some situations where you may need to speak to a GP.
Full details on RSV can be found on the NHS website here.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
