RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a virus that attacks the respiratory system. It is usually thought of as a fall/winter virus but has evolved into a year-round issue. It can be confused with a cold, flu, COVID, or other respiratory illness. It is spread by respiratory droplets from an infected person coughing or sneezing, touching a surface with the virus then your nose, eyes, mouth, or kissing an infected individual.
A very common virus that usually appears with the same symptoms as a minor cold, most individuals have had RSV and did not even know they had it as the symptoms can be mild with the body recovering on its own in a week or two. However, for infants, the elderly, or individuals with respiratory issues such as asthma, COPD, cardiac issues, or neurological diagnoses, the RSV virus can quickly evolve into bronchitis, pneumonia or even lead to death.
RSV can spread quickly and be more complicated in individuals with neurological issues including paralysis. This is because the muscles may not be functioning as strongly as needed to keep the airway clear. Not being able to breathe deeply, cough forcefully, or control secretions allows time for the virus to enter deep into the lung cells and multiply. Issues with the autonomic nervous system (ANS) as in brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, or other neurological disease may not allow time to mount a quick response for fighting the virus.