Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Children

Overview

RSV is a viral illness that causes symptoms such as trouble breathing. It’s the most common cause of inflammation of the small airways in the lungs (bronchiolitis) and pneumonia in babies.

Causes

RSV is spread when a child comes into contact with fluid from an infected person’s nose or mouth. This can happen if a child touches a contaminated surface and touches their eyes, mouth, or nose. It may also happen when inhaling droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough.

Risk Factors

A child is more at risk for RSV if they are around other people with the virus. RSV often occurs in yearly outbreaks in communities, classrooms, and childcare centers. RSV is more common in the fall and winter.

RSV can affect a person of any age but causes the most problems for the very young. Most babies have been infected at least once by the time they are 2 years old. Babies can also be reinfected with the virus. Infection can happen again anytime throughout life. RSV infection in older children and adults may seem like an episode of severe asthma. Babies born prematurely or with heart, lung, or immune system diseases are at increased risk for more severe illness.

Symptoms

Symptoms start about 2 to 5 days after contact with the virus.

The early phase of RSV in babies and young children is often mild, like a cold. In children younger than age 3, the illness may move into the lungs and cause coughing and wheezing. In some children, the infection turns to a severe respiratory disease. Your child may need to be treated in the hospital to help with breathing.

The most common symptoms of RSV include:

• Runny nose
• Fever
• Cough
• Short periods without breathing (apnea)
• Trouble eating, drinking, or swallowing
• Wheezing
• Flaring of the nostrils or straining of the chest or stomach while breathing
• Breathing faster than normal, or trouble breathing
• Turning blue around the lips and fingertips

The symptoms of RSV can seem like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Diagnosis

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. They may also ask about any recent illness in your family or other children in childcare or school. They will give your child a physical exam. Your child may also have tests, such as a nasal swab or wash. This is a painless test to look for the virus in fluid from the nose.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Antibiotics are not used to treat RSV. Treatment for RSV is done to help ease symptoms. Treatment varies by how serious the symptoms are. It may include:

• More fluids. It's very important to make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. If needed, your child will get an IV (intravenous) line to give fluids and electrolytes.
• Oxygen. This is extra oxygen given through a mask, nasal prongs, or an oxygen tent.

#BBD0E0 »