Almost all children get infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at least once before they are 2 years old. For most healthy children, RSV is like a cold. But some children get very sick with RSV.
What is RSV?
RSV is one of the many viruses that cause respiratory illness. It spreads like a cold virus from person to person. It enters the body through the nose or eyes, usually from contact with infected saliva, mucus or nasal discharge. These infections usually occur in the late fall through early spring months.
RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization in children under age 1 year. Those babies may need oxygen to help with breathing or (intravenous) IV fluids if they are not eating or drinking. Most of these children get better and can go home after a few days.
RSV symptoms in babies:
Typically, RSV causes cold symptoms, which may be followed by bronchiolitis or pneumonia which are infections of the lower airways in the chest or lungs. RSV symptoms are typically at their worst on days 3 through 5 of illness. Symptoms generally last an average of 7-14 days
Call us at Preferred Pediatrics right away if your child has any:
Symptoms of bronchiolitis - wheezing, breathing heavily, flaring nostrils, fast breathing.
Symptoms of dehydration - fewer than 1 wet diaper every 8 hours.
Pauses or difficulty breathing.
Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone.
Significantly decreased activity and alertness.
How to help your child with mild RSV feel better
There is no specific treatment for RSV and medications, like steroids and antibiotics, do not help with RSV. To help your child feel more comfortable, begin by doing what you would for any bad cold:
Nasal saline with gentle suctioning to allow easier breathing and feeding.
Cool-mist humidifier to help break up mucus and allow easier breathing.
Fluids & frequent feedings. Make sure your child is staying hydrated. Infants with a common cold may feed more slowly or not feel like eating because they are having trouble breathing. Try to suction baby's nose before trying to breast or bottle-feed. Supplementing with water or formula is unnecessary for breastfed babies. If difficult for the baby to feed at the breast, expressing breastmilk into a cup or bottle may be an option.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if older than 6 months) to help with low-grade fevers. Always avoid aspirin and cough & cold medications.
Keep in mind, children and adults can get RSV multiple times—even during a single season. Often, however, repeat infections are less severe than the first one.
New ways to protect babies from RSV
There are new immunizations to protect babies from severe illness during RSV season. You can choose RSV immunization during pregnancy, or your baby can be immunized after they are born.
RSV vaccine during pregnancy
Pregnant people can receive the maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) at 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy if their baby will be born during RSV season. The vaccine is given from September through January and reduces the risk of RSV hospitalization for babies by 57% in their first six months after birth.
RSV immunization for babies
For infants and some toddlers, an RSV immunization called nirsevimab (Beyfortus) can be given as an injection during or just before RSV season. Babies can get it at the hospital when they are born or at their checkup visit. Nirsevimab has been shown to be approximately 80-90% effective in preventing infants from being hospitalized with RSV.
The shot works a little differently than a traditional vaccine. It provides preventive antibodies that start working to protect babies right away. The protection lasts throughout a typical RSV season.
Other ways to help prevent RSV:
Stay up to date on vaccines. Keep your children up to date on their immunizations and get the whole family annual flu and COVID shots. Adults over age 60 years can get the RSV vaccine. And getting vaccinated with Tdap―to protect against whooping cough—is especially important for pregnant people during each pregnancy and for household members and caregivers who are around infants.
Limit your baby's exposure to crowds, other children, and anyone with colds. Keep children home from school or child care when they are sick and teach them to cover their coughs and sneezes.
Wash your hands. Just as you would to prevent germs at any time, use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Remind children to practice good hand hygiene all through the year.
Go germ-free. Disinfect objects and surfaces in your home regularly and avoid exposing your child to smoke from tobacco or other substances.
Feed your baby breastmilk. It has unique antibodies to prevent and fight infections.