Medically reviewed by Alan Lucks | MD, Alan Lucks MDPC Private Practice - New York on November 2nd, 2023.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common and highly contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract of most children before they reach the age of two. While RSV usually causes mild cold-like symptoms, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis in some cases, especially in premature babies, infants under 8-10 weeks old, and children with weakened immune systems or pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
RSV infection typically causes cold-like symptoms that last for 1-2 weeks, including:
Cough
Runny nose
Fever
Wheezing
Decreased appetite
If your baby exhibits any of the following symptoms, contact their doctor immediately:
High-pitched whistling or wheezing when breathing
Unusual irritability or inactivity
Cough with yellow, green, or gray mucus
Difficulty breathing or pauses in breathing
Refusal to feed
Signs of dehydration (lack of tears, little or no urine output, cool, dry skin)
In case of severe symptoms such as rapid breathing, blue tint to lips or fingernails, or extreme lethargy, seek emergency medical attention.
RSV spreads through the air via coughing or sneezing and through direct contact with contaminated surfaces. Infants and young children are at the highest risk of severe RSV infection, particularly those who:
Were born prematurely
Have congenital heart or lung disease
Have weakened immune systems due to illness or medical treatment
Are under 8-10 weeks old
To reduce the risk of RSV infection, follow these preventive measures:
Wash hands frequently, especially after contact with someone displaying cold symptoms
Avoid kissing your baby if you have cold symptoms
Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly
Keep your baby away from people with cold symptoms and crowds
Do not allow smoking around your baby
Limit high-risk babies' time in daycare during RSV season (late fall to early spring)
For high-risk babies, doctors may recommend a monthly injection of palivizumab during peak RSV season to prevent severe complications. In the near future, a long-acting monoclonal antibody called nirsevimab and a vaccine for pregnant people may become available to help protect infants from RSV.
There is no specific medication to treat RSV infection. Instead, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting the baby's respiratory system. Most babies and young children can be cared for at home by:
Removing nasal fluids with a bulb syringe and saline drops
Using a cool-mist humidifier to ease breathing
Providing fluids in small amounts throughout the day
Administering non-aspirin fever-reducers like acetaminophen (follow label instructions carefully)
In more severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary, and treatment may include oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and medications or procedures to open the airways.
By understanding the symptoms, causes, prevention methods, and treatment options for RSV, parents and caregivers can help protect their infants and young children from this common respiratory virus and its potential complications.
For more information on RSV, visit:
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