So, your little one is sick. They may be more restless than usual, not sleeping well, or eating less than they should. Symptoms such as fever, cough, trouble sleeping, and decreased appetite can be caused by a variety of conditions. But if your child’s symptoms seem to appear in phases, rather than all at once, they may be caused by respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Read on to learn about possible symptoms of RSV in babies and children, when to see a doctor, and how to treat mild, moderate, and severe symptoms.
RSV is a common seasonal respiratory virus, but it can be serious for young children
RSV usually appears in the fall and winter, and recently began appearing in early summer. It primarily causes cold-like symptoms that last less than a week and usually does not require medical treatment. Most people make a full recovery in 1 to 2 weeks. However, RSV can be more serious for certain groups, especially infants and young children.
A telltale sign of RSV in children is how symptoms appear
If your baby or toddler has RSV, symptoms will usually appear 2 to 8 days after exposure to a sick person. It can sometimes be distinguished from other cold- and flu-like conditions by the way symptoms appear: RSV symptoms can appear in phases, while symptoms of other conditions usually appear all at once.
Signs of RSV in Babies Include Fussiness, Poor Feeding, and More
Babies can’t tell us that they don’t feel good with their words, so we have to look for it in their behavior. Some of the RSV signs to watch out for include:
- Fever
- Increased irritability
- Pause in breathing (apnea)
- Poor diet due to decreased appetite.
- unusual fatigue
- Noisy breathing
Because babies’ immune systems are so new, they have not developed the strength or immunity to fight off many diseases. For that reason, babies younger than 6 months are at much higher risk for a more severe case of RSV. Vaccines and healthy habits can help prevent severe RSV in babies.
Other common symptoms of RSV in babies and young children
Babies and young children with RSV generally experience similar symptoms: children may simply communicate more of them. The full list of possible RSV symptoms in children includes:
- Cough
- Decreased appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Rhinorrhea
- sneezing
- Sore throat
- wheezing
Signs of severe RSV in babies and young children
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV is the number one cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 1 year of age in the US.
If your child is sick, watch for signs of severe RSV and seek medical attention right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing, such as short, shallow, or rapid breaths.
- Noticeable recoil of the chest wall and stomach when breathing (chest retractions)
- Flared nostrils or bobbing head with each breath.
- Brief pauses in breathing (apnea)
- Wheezing (a high-pitched sound during inhalation may be a sign of bronchiolitis or pneumonia)
- Decreased activity or alertness.
- severe cough
- Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips or nails.
Treatment of mild to moderate RSV in infants and children
Most children with a mild or moderate case of RSV recover on their own within one to two weeks. And while there is no treatment to cure RSV, there are home remedies that can help relieve symptoms and keep your child more comfortable while they recover:
- Keep your child well hydrated. If you have a baby younger than 12 months, talk to their doctor before giving them water.
- If your child’s doctor approves, give over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as needed to reduce fever. Follow your doctor’s advice and never give aspirin to children, as it can cause a condition called Reye syndrome.
- To help babies breathe better, use a bulb syringe to clear mucus from the nose.
- Ask your child’s pediatrician if you can safely use saline nasal drops or sprays to help loosen nasal congestion.
- Try using steam to improve breathing. To relieve dry or congested airways, your child’s doctor may recommend using a cool mist humidifier in their bedroom at night. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can run a hot shower with the bathroom door closed to create a steam bath effect that makes breathing easier.
How long should a child with RSV stay home?
Some schools and daycares across the country may ask parents for a doctor’s note or a negative test before their child can return after having RSV, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend this. In Minnesota, where we serve many of our patients, the AAP Minnesota Chapter explains that RSV tests can remain positive for several weeks after infection, so they should not be used to check if someone has recovered.
Instead, the AAP recommends following standard community guidelines for returning to school. This includes the child being fever-free for at least 24 hours without the help of fever reducers, having no signs of difficulty breathing, and generally improving symptoms. And like other respiratory illnesses, wearing a mask for a while after returning to a group setting can help prevent transmission to others.
Not sure what your child has or think they have a serious case? Talk to an expert.
When your child is sick, it’s important to know what you can do to help them. A diagnosis can help you understand what you can do to relieve their symptoms, how long they should stay home from daycare or school, and whether there are treatments available to help them get better faster.
If your child has symptoms of serious illness, contact your pediatric clinic as soon as possible. Your child’s care team can guide you to the best steps to take based on your child’s symptoms. If you call during business hours, you may be advised to schedule a same-day appointment or visit your local urgent care center. If it is after hours and your child is having trouble breathing, take him or her to an emergency room for immediate care.
