It’s likely that you have heard of rising respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases in or near your area in recent months. Educating yourself on RSV can help you protect yourself and others from this virus.
Typically, RSV lasts for one to two weeks and causes symptoms including runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. Infected infants under six months may be irritable, show decreased activity or appetite, or have apnea. Once infected, usually symptoms appear within four to six days. It’s important to know that infants, young children, children with neuromuscular disorders, older adults, and adults and children with compromised immune systems have a high risk for a severe infection. RSV has the potential to cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “some people with RSV infection, especially older adults and infants younger than 6 months of age, may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated. In the most severe cases, a person may require additional oxygen, or IV fluids… or intubation… with mechanical ventilation.”
RSV usually circulates annually in the fall and winter (with peak during late December to mid-February). The CDC notes that they have seen changes to RSV circulation since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. RSV can spread when: an infected person coughs or sneezes, you get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose, or mouth, you have direct contact with the virus, or you touch a surface that has the virus on it and then touch your face before washing your hands.
The CDC states that: “RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. It typically lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time.”
Let’s talk prevention. Anyone with cold-like symptoms should cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve, wash their hands often with soap and water, avoid close contact with others, and clean frequently touched surfaces. If possible, those with cold-like symptoms should avoid interaction with children at high risk for severe RSV disease. In general, it’s smart to avoid close contact with sick people, and stay home when you become sick.
Allied Eagle supplies disinfectants for use against RSV. Make sure to regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces within your building.
DISINFECTANTS WITH RSV CONTACT KILL TIMES:
Purell® Professional Surface Disinfecting Wipes: 15 seconds
Purell® Professional Surface Disinfectant (Spray): 30 seconds
Purell® Foodservice Surface Sanitizing Wipes: 15 seconds
Purell® Foodservice Surface Sanitizer: 30 seconds
Spartan Chemical Profect® HP Rapid Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant: 1 minute
Spartan Chemical Profect® Healthcare Disinfecting Wipes: 1 minute
Spartan Chemical BNC-15®: 3 minutes (Dilution: 1 oz./gal)
Spartan Chemical HDQ Neutral®: 10 minutes (Dilution: 1 oz./gal)
Spartan Chemical Super HDQ Neutral®: 10 minutes (Dilution: 1/2 oz./gal)
Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner: 30 seconds
Clorox Healthcare® Bleach Germicidal Disinfectant Wipes: 1 minute
Clorox Healthcare® Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectants: 30 seconds
Clorox Healthcare® Fuzion® Cleaner Disinfectant: 1 minute
Clorox Healthcare® VersaSure® Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes: 30 seconds
Clorox Healthcare® Spore10 Defense™ Cleaner Disinfectant: 1 minute
CloroxPro® Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes: 15 seconds
Clorox® Total 360® Disinfectant Cleaner1: 2 minutes
Clorox® Clean-Up® Disinfectant Cleaner with Bleach: 30 seconds
Clorox® Disinfecting Spray: 30 seconds
CloroxPro® Clorox® Germicidal Bleach: 5 minutes
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Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 28). People at High Risk for Severe RSV Infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 28). RSV in Infants and Young Children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 31). RSV Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/prevention.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 28). RSV Research & Surveillance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/research/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 1). RSV Transmission. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 24). Symptoms and Care. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html
