RSV Virus Outbreak: A Warning to Parents as Rainy Season Ends and Winter Begins

As the rainy season comes to an end and winter begins, the Disease Control Bureau 9 in Nakhon Ratchasima has issued a warning to parents about the outbreak of RSV virus disease (RSV), which can cause severe pneumonia in young children and the elderly.

According to Dr. Thaweechai Wisanuyothin, Director of Disease Control Bureau 9, the RSV virus can live outside the body for several hours and can be found on various objects such as toys and ball houses. It spreads easily through coughing or sneezing, direct contact through the secretions, mucus, saliva or phlegm of a sick person.

The symptoms of RSV virus infection can range from mild flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat, to severe symptoms such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, or wheezing. In some cases, it can cause shortness of breath due to pneumonia, eating less food, and feeling lethargic.

While RSV virus can affect people of all ages, it is more severe in young children whose immune systems are still low. Children under 3 years old, children with congenital diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, and children born prematurely are at a higher risk of serious conditions and death.

Currently, there is no direct cure for RSV infection. However, treatment based on symptoms can help alleviate the condition. This includes giving medicine to reduce fever, curing cough, and loosening phlegm. In some cases, a bronchodilator may be injected via oxygen aerosol to help reduce the severity of cough and shortness of breath.

To prevent the spread of RSV virus, the Disease Control Bureau 9 recommends the following measures:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol gel to clean your hands.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes with dirty hands.
• Don’t share personal items with others, such as glasses, spoons, and forks.
• Clean and disinfect children’s toys regularly, especially after finding a sick child.
• Avoid close contact with people with respiratory diseases.

For patients who are infected with RSV virus, the following advice is recommended:

• Take a break to recover at home and wear a mask.
• Clean your home regularly to reduce germs.
• Drink plenty of water to help make secretions not too sticky.
• If symptoms do not improve, such as shortness of breath, tiredness, depression, and eating less food, seek medical attention immediately.