RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND

Cold and flu season may be a common topic of conversation however there is another virus that is a hot topic at this time of year. That is RSV. What even is RSV? Why is it important to talk about? And just what can you do to decrease your risk of the virus? It’s a lot to cover so let’s get into it, shall we?

What does RSV even stand for? RSV is short for Respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is caused by a virus and the fastest/ easiest way for the virus to enter your body is through the eyes, nose or mouth. This is why it’s so important to avoid touching your face with your hands! It’s also important to realize that RSV can live on objects and surfaces for hours after they have been contaminated with the virus. That means if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your mouth or eyes you are likely to pick up the virus and get sick. Which is why we always say to sanitize frequently touched surfaces.

While anyone can get RSV some people are at a higher risk of dangerous complications. For example, premature infants, babies under 6 months old or adults older than 65 are all at risk of dangerous RSV complications. Children and adults with heart disease, lung disease, neuromuscular disorders or who have a compromised immune system are also at risk for RSV complications.

That being said just what are the symptoms of RSV? How do I know I might have it? Common symptoms include a congested or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, low grade fever, dry cough and even a headache! In more severe cases there can be inflammation of the small airway passages in the lungs. Symptoms of this possible inflammation include fever, severe cough, wheezing, rapid breathing/difficulty breathing and a bluish color to the skin. For those at risk of more severe illnesses it is important to watch for signs of severe RSV which would require hospitalization. Signs of more severe illness in infants may include short, shallow and rapid breathing. They may struggle to breathe at all. They may have poor feeding, lethargy, irritability and cough.

While in most people RSV doesn’t have severe complications in those who are in the high-risk group complications can be very dangerous. Complications from RSV may include a hospital stay. RSV is the most common cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis. RSV can also increase the risk of developing asthma. RSV can also trigger ear infections. Lastly having RSV can increase the risk of later RSV infections. (1)

But why is it important to even know about RSV? While you may not be at high-risk other people may be at risk of severe complications and illness. That is why overall it is important to be aware of RSV. According to the WHO RSV and its associated complications leads to an estimated 3.6 million hospitalizations and approximately 100,000 deaths in kids under 5y/o worldwide. (2)

What can you do?

• Older adults and pregnant women should talk to their doctor about the RSV vaccine and if this vaccine is a good choice for you!
• Wash your hands often as well as sanitize frequently touched surfaces.
• Try to avoid large gatherings and those who are sick.
• Don’t share personal items like drinking glasses.
• If possible, stop smoking. (1)
• As an ND I always recommend changing your diet to include more whole foods. Have a diet high in nutritious foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and lean proteins. Don’t forget your healthy fats! Invite health has a number of powders that can be helpful. Feel free to mix a scoop of Organic Greens and Reds Hx into applesauce for your kids. You can even use the fruit pouches that they sell for kids and add the organic greens to add some nutrients. If you and your kids like chocolate (I mean who doesn’t lol) I would like to suggest adding a scoop of Cocoa Hx to some yogurt. Dairy free is fine! And don’t forget you can use Cocoa Hx in any recipe that calls for chocolate powder.
• Aged Garlic has been found to be very helpful in fighting off different viral infections. One reason is that it has been found to help boost the immune system so the body can get rid of these bad guys by itself. When I say aged garlic is helpful, I mean not only does it help boost immunity it helps to get rid of the signs and symptoms of the virus. You also feel better faster! (3) Please see Invite’s Aged Garlic.
• Mushroom complexes have been found to have numerous benefits for our health! One of these benefits is being antiviral. That means it helps to kill off different viruses. (4) Please see Invite’s Mushroom Hx.
• Multivitamins can be a complex topic. However, studies do indicate that a multivitamin with vitamin C and Zinc can be helpful in boosting immunity especially in seniors. (5) Please see Invite’s extensive line of multivitamins!
• Probiotics have been found in studies to help protect us against RSV! (6) Please see Invite’s Probiotic Hx, Probiotic Women and one of my personal favorites, Probiotic Immune!
• Tea: One of my favorite things to do for a sore throat is to make tea with lemon, honey and turmeric with ginger. To make this simply add 1 or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey and the contents of 2 capsules of Turmeric with Ginger to herbal tea. Please see Invite’s Turmeric with Ginger!
• Olive leaf is one of my favorite nutrients to recommend this time of year! Olive Leaf Extract has been found in studies to be antiviral. (7) Please see Invite’s Olive Leaf Extract and Renalaid.

Sources:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353098
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/respiratory-syncytial-virus-(rsv)
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26764332/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8887958/#sec0008
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7468989/#sec5-nutrients-12-02447
6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41401-020-00573-5#:~:text=This%20probiotic%20mixture%20consisted%20of,this%20article%20via%20your%20institution.
7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9953111/#B4-biomolecules-13-00238