RSV or Respiratory syncytial virus is a common virus which causes infections that is usually mild and has cold-like symptoms. Adults and health children will have symptoms resembling common cold but for RSV can be severe in some people. This can include babies 12 months or younger, premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, and immunocompromised person. RSV can potentially cause inflammation of small airways in lung (bronchiolitis) and pneumonia and is highly contagious.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear in stages within 4-6 days after getting infected. Symptoms include:

• Coughing

• Runny nose

• Sneezing

• Fever

• Wheezing

• Headache

• Sore throat

In infants symptoms may include:

• Irritability or fussiness

• Minimal interest in activities

• Breathing difficulties

In a more severe case with pneumonia or bronchiolitis symptoms include:

• Severe cough

• Wheezing

• Cyanosis (Skin color turning blue lacking oxygen)

• Rapid or difficulty breathing

Severe symptoms for infants may include:

• Noisy breathing

• Short, shallow, and rapid breathing

• Pauses between breathing

• Lips, mouth, and fingernails turning blue

Treatment

No specific treatment is available at the present. Treatment is mainly symptomatic unless the symptoms are getting worse, hospital stays may be necessary. 

When to see a doctor?

If your child has fever above 38 degrees Celsius, changes to pattern of breathing, and symptoms becoming more severe, do visit a pediatrician for treatment. Babies with increased fussiness, dehydration (fewer wet diapers, dry skin, dry lips and tongues, tearless crying, and rapid breathing, coughing), should be brought to see a pediatrician to assess severity to ensure baby’s safety.

Visit emergency room if your child has difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, short and shallow rapid breathing, blue or gray skin color which can be seen on the lips and the nail beds.