RSV causes infections of the upper respiratory tract (like a cold) and the lower respiratory tract (like pneumonia). It is the most frequent cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 2 years of age. In most children symptoms appear similar to a mild cold. About half of the infections result in lower respiratory tract infections and otitis media (ear infection). An RSV infection can range from very mild to life-threatening or even fatal.

According to Roselyn Cunningham, Communicable Disease Nurse for the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) "outbreaks of RSV commonly begin in late fall, peak in mid-December through February, and fade out by early spring. We seem to be at a peak in Stanislaus County right now."

The most effective preventive measure against the spread of RSV is careful and frequent handwashing. Once one child in a group is infected with RSV, spread to others is rapid. Frequently, a child is infectious before symptoms appear. There is no need to exclude a child from child care unless he or she is not well enough to participate in usual activities. If an adult in a child care facility develops a RSV illness, he or she must be sure that procedures regarding handwashing, hygiene, disposal of tissues and cleaning and disinfection of toys are followed.

The public can find more information on RSV at the HSA's web site www.schsa.org.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 9 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 400,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.schsa.org