RSV Parents in the Cafeteria

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 21, 2009

We don't have any. We enforce the strict hand-washing dogma and have hand sanitizer dispensers all over the hospital but other than that, nothing. Since RSV is indistinguishable from the common cold in most people over a year old, it's pretty hard to make and enforce any kind of rules about who can go where... unless they're a patient, and then they're restricted to their room.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

I don't see the danger.

RSV is everywhere and over 90% of kids have had it by the time they turn 3. It's an issue with only the very smallest of infants and particularly premies when they don't have enough immunity to fight it off.

However, for kids that are older, it usually passes as either a bad cold or the flu. You wouldn't know it was RSV unless you specifically test for it.

Vicki_RN · Jan 22, 2009

Thanks!! Just collecting some informal responses to present to our Infection Control Dept, who are dictating that the parents/visitors of these patients are not allowed to go to the cafeteria. I feel the same as the two replys. Thanks for the back-up!