Child with RSV

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Children

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that nearly all children get by age 2, but infection can occur at any age.
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RSV infections typically occur during the winter months, but outbreaks can occur at other times as well.

It is a very contagious virus that usually spreads through contact with mucus, saliva, or droplets in the air from an infected person. It can also spread through contact with surfaces that an infected person has touched. Most of the time, RSV causes symptoms that are similar to a common cold, but it can be more severe for some children. Each year in the U.S., 58,000 to 80,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized due to RSV.

Children with higher risk of severe RSV include:

  • Babies under 6 months of age
  • Babies born prematurely 
  • Babies and children with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, neuromuscular disorders, or weakened immune systems

RSV is a virus, and there is no medication to treat it. Most children will recover at home with no need for treatment. However, if needed, hospitals can treat children with oxygen and other types of supportive care to help with their recovery.  

58,000 to 80,000
Children younger than 5 hospitalized due to RSV.

Preventing RSV 

There are several medicines to help prevent RSV in children. Below is information to help you talk to your doctor about what is best for you and your child.

A medicine called nirsevimab or Beyfortus can help prevent RSV and protect children from getting very sick. This one dose injection delivers ready-made antibodies that protect against severe RSV for several months, enough to cover the RSV season. Infants under 8 months should get Beyfortus.

An RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant women in their third trimester (between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy during September through January). The immunity it generates protects babies from RSV after they are born. Infants whose mother received this vaccine during pregnancy may not need any additional RSV protection.

Common RSV symptoms include:
  • Runny/stuffy nose
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Decreased appetite
  • Fussiness

Infants and children who develop these symptoms may visit a pediatrician for evaluation and recommendations for care.

Severe RSV symptoms can include:
  • Fast breathing
  • Flaring of the nostrils
  • Grunting during breathing
  • Belly breathing
  • Tugging between the ribs

More severe RSV causes bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and can cause pneumonia as well. Sometimes, infants and children who develop these symptoms may be hospitalized for care. 

When to seek care

Most RSV infections go away on their own in seven to 10 days, but the cough can last two to three weeks. Pediatricians at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital are always here to offer advice or evaluate your child.

You should call your child’s primary care provider if:

  • Your child has a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit that lasts longer than 72 hours.
  • Your baby or child isn’t feeling better after 10 days.
  • You notice signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers, dry lips and mouth, no tears produced when crying, a sunken soft spot on your baby’s head)  

Seek emergency care if your child is:

  • Under 1 month of age and has a fever of 100.4 or higher
  • Grunting
  • Appearing gray or blue
  • Listless or unresponsive

Additional tips for preventing RSV

RSV spreads very easily, especially in a daycare setting, and it is very hard to prevent infection in young children. In addition to the medicine Beyfortus, which is recommended for babies 8 months and younger, born during or starting their first RSV season, to protect against severe RSV.

These tips can also help prevent the spread of RSV 

Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer
Stay away from those infected with RSV
Teach older children to cover their cough
Clean high-touch surfaces frequently
Limit sharing of cups or utensils

If you have a newborn, you may consider limiting visitors during RSV season. Ensure any visitors are healthy, wash their hands before holding the baby, and refrain from kissing your baby. You might also ask visitors to wear a mask to further reduce risk. 

During RSV season, just remember to monitor your child and know when to seek care. The pediatric experts at Stead Family Children’s Hospital will always be here to help care for your child during RSV season.

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