Your child may have been exposed to:
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common viral infection.
If you think your child has RSV, tell your childcare provider. Keep your child home from childcare until fever is gone (without the use of a fever reducing medicine) and your child is healthy enough for routine activities.
Do not give aspirin or salicylate-containing medicines to anyone under 18 years of age.
For more information, call Hennepin County HSPHD-Epidemiology at 612-543-5230 or call your local health
SYMPTOMS:- Your child may have a cough, watery eyes, runny nose or stuffiness, or sneezing. Symptoms may last for 7 days.
- People with severe RSV may wheeze and/or have lung congestion. RSV can be serious for premature babies and people with heart, lung, or immune system problems.
- If your child is infected, it may take 2 to 8 days for symptoms to start.
- By coughing or sneezing
- By touching contaminated hands, objects, or surfaces
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD:
For 3 to 8 days after symptoms start. Some infants can spread RSV for up to 4 weeks.
Call your health care provider if anyone in your home has symptoms. Your doctor may want to test for the virus. Antibiotics do not work for illnesses caused by viruses, including RSV.
PREVENTION:- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue and dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with the secretions from the mouth or nose. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Do not share anything that goes into the mouth, such as drinking cups, straws, and water bottles.
- Clean and disinfect anything that comes in contact with secretions from the nose or mouth. Use a product that kills germs.