Dear Parents:

You are receiving this email because there is a case of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) in the second grade.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.

Incubation Period:  From one to 10 days.

Early Signs and Symptoms:  Fever and one or more systemic symptoms, such as chills, headache, body aches, malaise and loss of appetite, either alone or in combination with runny nose, sore throat, swollen glands, bronchitis or pneumonia, are usually present.  Infants sometimes have gastrointestinal disturbances.  Signs and symptoms usually subside in two to five days without complications; however, some infections may be complicated by bacterial sinusitis, otitis media or, less commonly by bacterial pneumonia.

Period of Communicability:  RSV is communicable shortly before onset and for the duration of symptoms, usually three to eight days; in infants, RSV shedding may very rarely persist for several weeks or longer after clinical symptoms subside.

Method of Transmission:  RSV is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions such as breathing them in after an infected person coughs or sneezes; indirectly by hands, soiled tissues and handkerchiefs, eating and drinking utensils, and other articles and environmental surfaces contaminated by respiratory discharges from an infected.

How to prevent RSV:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps to prevent the spread of RSV, especially if you or your child is experiencing cold-like symptoms.

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and mobile devices

Ideally, people with cold-like symptoms should not interact with children at high risk for severe RSV disease. If this is not possible, carefully follow the prevention steps listed above and wash your hands before interacting with high-risk children.

Care:  Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two.  You can take stelps to relieve symptoms, such as managing fever and pain and drinking enough fluids.

Mrs. Clare Narusis

School Office Manager