As temperatures dip virus concerns rise.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is not the flu, but its cold- and flu-like symptoms are surging in children, suggest infectious-disease specialists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. RSV is the leading cause of viral respiratory infections and hospitalizations in infants and children worldwide.

"In several high-risk groups, RSV can cause bronchus and pneumonia. These include prematurely born infants, children with heart disease or immune deficiencies, and children up to three years of age who suffered from asthma or any other chronic lung ailment within six months prior to showing RSV symptoms," warns Asuncion Mejias, assistant professor of pediatrics.

Half of all babies develop an RSV infection within the first year of life and most have had at least one RSV infection by age three, points out Octavio Ramilo, professor of pediatrics. About three to 10% of infants with RSV infections develop severe bronchitis and require hospitalization. Most children recover within a week, but RSV can cause repeated infections throughout life. There is no vaccine available.

Mejias asserts you can help prevent infection by maintaining high nutrition, washing hands regularly, keeping those infected away from children, and not taking infants to areas of potential infection. Also, regularly cleaning bathrooms, other home and daycare surfaces, toys, and eating utensils are effective steps in limiting exposure to RSV. Monthly intramuscular injections of RSV-fighting antibodies are recommended for treating some higher-risk kids during the fall-to-spring RSV season. Children with heart disease can be hospitalized and treated with high doses of aerosolized ribavirin within 48 hours of infection.

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"RSV is mild to most adults, but elderly folk and others with immune deficiencies are at high risk for severe RSV impact," cautions Ramilo.