By Dr. Mark Downey, Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg
RSV looks and sounds like a cold but can quickly become more serious.
Most commonly circulating from late fall through early spring, RSV acts like a typical cold in most children. Symptoms such as fever, runny nose, and cough usually last about a week and are typically worst on days three through five of the illness.
However, in premature infants or babies with lung disease, RSV can lead to serious lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis. About 2–3% of children with RSV may need to be hospitalized.
Other children at higher risk for complications include babies with a history of allergies, heart problems, or low birth weight. Exposure to secondhand smoke or maternal smoking during pregnancy also increases risk.
CHKD pediatricians also strongly recommend Beyfortus® (nirsevimab‑alip) for infants under 8 months of age entering their first RSV season. This single-dose monoclonal antibody helps prevent RSV infections and/or reduce the severity of the illness. A maternal RSV vaccine is also available for expectant mothers who wish to protect their newborns during the first months of life.
How to help your child feel better:
- Use nasal saline with gentle suctioning.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to loosen mucus.
- Encourage fluids and frequent feedings.
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help reduce fever in children older than 6 months.
- Always avoid aspirin and over-the-counter cough or cold medicines.
When to call your doctor:
- Symptoms worsen or do not improve after seven days.
- Fever: rectal temperature ≥100.4°F in babies younger than 3 months, or repeated fevers ≥104°F in children of any age.
- Poor sleep, fussiness, chest pain, ear tugging, or ear drainage.
- Fast breathing, nostril flaring, wheezing, rhythmic grunting, belly breathing, retractions (tugging between ribs or at the lower neck).
- Signs of dehydration (less than one wet diaper every eight hours).
Seek emergency care (call 911) if your child has:
- Pauses in breathing or difficulty breathing.
- Gray or blue lips, tongue, or skin.
- Decreased activity or alertness.
