08 November,2021 08:12 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which generally affects children, is highly contagious and has symptoms similar to COVID-19 such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Representation pic
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While COVID cases in Mumbai have remained more or less constant with the test positivity rate (TPR) in control, doctors say they are seeing more adults with fever and cough, leading to breathing problems because of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which generally affects children. Doctors say the virus is highly contagious and has symptoms akin to COVID.
Dr Kedar Toraskar, critical care specialist at Wockhardt Hospital, said a rising number of patients are coming with COVID symptoms and testing positive for RSV. "Earlier, we did not carry out tests for viral fevers. Since the outbreak, we have been testing more and this year we are finding many testing positive for RSV," he said.
Patients with symptoms who are testing negative for COVID are now being checked for RSV and swine flu. Dr Toraskar said doctors should suspect RSV or swine flu especially when a patient is not responding to COVID treatment.
While the recovery period is around one week, Dr Toraskar said there is no specific treatment and patients are treated based on their symptoms.
"The precautionary measure to deter RSV and other viral infections including influenza is following hygiene. Hand hygiene, wearing mask and social distancing had helped viral infection cases like RSV remain in control last year," he said.
Infectious diseases expert Dr Om Shrivastav, said there are few cases of RSV in adults. "There are cases of RSV in adults but no hospitalisation has been required.
We have treated them symptomatically," he said.
Dr Bakul Parekh, paediatrician and member of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, said it is a winter phenomenon and cases are bound to go up in coming days. "It spreads via air. Last year, we didn't see much of RSV, probably because of the lockdown. Parents do not have to panic. It is the most common cause of inflammation of the small airways in the lungs," he said.
