RSV: What Parents Need to Know
We have all been there, it’s the middle of the night and your precious tiny one starts to cough, or maybe it's a phone call from daycare informing you that your toddler has a fever with a runny nose and needs to be picked up immediately. Not again, you think.
Swiftly grabbing your things and wrestling all your thoughts, you call the Pediatrician to ensure you can get an appointment ASAP. You then find yourself leaving the Pediatrician with a diagnosis of “Respiratory Syncytial Virus” (RSV).
Syn--cy--ti---what??? You start googling “RSV” and are inundated with lengthy information that leaves you feeling uneasy and lost.
Sound familiar? Unfortunately, for many this story really resonates. But parents, RSV is VERY common, and I’m here to break it all down for you! In fact, almost all children will get RSV by the age of 2 years old. So, take a deep breath, you’re about to learn what every parent should understand about this virus - because yes, most of the time it is mild but it can be very serious.
WHAT IS RSV?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) Virus.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms.
Globally, RSV affects an estimated 64 million people each year.
By the age of 2, almost all kids have had RSV at least once.
Most times symptoms last 1-2 weeks, and consist of cold-like symptoms.
With supportive care and close observation, most cases of RSV can be managed at home.
SYMPTOMS:
Stuffy or runny nose
Sore throat, cough
Fever/general ill-feeling
Not eating or drinking well
In smaller kids and babies, RSV can cause Bronchiolitis, a viral infection of the lower respiratory tract that occurs when tiny airways called bronchioles become infected with a virus. They can become swollen and inflamed and fill with mucus, causing respiratory distress.
IS RSV CONTAGIOUS?
RSV is highly contagious. Like other respiratory illnesses, it spreads through droplets of saliva or mucus from the infected person, which can occur from coughing or sneezing.
It can also live on surfaces like counters, doorknobs, hands, and clothing for several hours; so, if you come in contact with an infected surface, you can become infected. This is why frequent hand washing is so important!
Babies often get it from older kids who have carried the virus home from school. Distancing babies, especially under 6 months old, from sick children can be helpful in not spreading germs.
Children should stay home when they are sick with symptoms as they can still spread the virus, but especially while they have a fever.
HOW WILL A DOCTOR DIAGNOSE RSV?
There is a nose-swab test that can be done to verify it is RSV, but typically doctors will diagnose based on symptoms. This is because the treatment for RSV is the same as other respiratory viruses. No matter the name, the treatment is the same.
This is important to keep in mind because generally, whichever respiratory virus is causing your child to be sick, will be treated the same. That’s why you shouldn’t let the name “RSV” scare you!
RSV TREATMENT:
Most cases of RSV are mild and can be treated with at-home, supportive care (see below)
Because RSV is a virus, antibiotics will NOT help, unless it turns into a secondary infection like pneumonia which is more uncommon.
The older the child, typically the better they can handle the respiratory illnesses.
Occasionally, RSV can become more serious and require hospitalization. This is much more common in smaller babies and children with existing medical issues.
HOME CARE:
FLUIDS: If your child stays hydrated, their mucous will be thinner and easier to clear from their nose and airways. Due to congestion, babies and small children may not feel like drinking, or may find it difficult; thus, offer small amounts often, even through a syringe if needed. For babies older than 6 months old small amounts of water, coconut water, or bone broth may help on top of feedings.
REST: Rest proves to be the most powerful method to recover from illness. Making sure your child gets plenty of rest and quality sleep will allow their immune system to function properly and recover more quickly.
OPEN WINDOWS/DOORS: Allow fresh air into your home by opening your doors and windows, letting air circulate and new air to enter. This helps funnel out bad air, and keep new air flowing.
SUCTIONING: If your child is too young to blow his or her own nose, suctioning the nose will be very beneficial. Especially babies 4 months and younger who only breathe through their nose. Simply put a couple drops of saline in the nose before suctioning, plug the other side, and suction! You can repeat these steps 2-3 times as needed to clear the nostrils on each side. Just make sure you are only suctioning if they really need it before they eat, sleep, or if they have any trouble breathing.
INFANT VITAMINS: For infants under 1 consider offering Vitamin C, infant Vitamin D and Infant Probiotics when a baby is sick. If you as a mom are breastfeeding, you can take 7000 IUs of Vitamin D/day regularly to give your baby enough vitamin D through your breast milk if you prefer! You can my code SHAN20 to get my favorite vitamins from Mary Ruth Organics.
IMMUNE SUPPORT 1+ year olds: To boost their immunity when my kiddos have a virus, I like to use: Echinacea, Elderberry, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc. As always, check with your healthcare provider to find age appropriate supplements and dosing.
HUMIDIFIER: Using a cool mist humidifier in the child’s room during naps and bedtime can help keep secretions and mucus thin and help the child breathe easier.
IBUPROFEN: If your child is very uncomfortable or has been fighting off a fever for at least 24 hours, ibuprofen can be given every 6 hours for children older than 6 months. Talk with your doctor about correct dosing to make sure you can adequately help your child.
IF HOSPITAL CARE IS NEEDED:
If your child needs hospitalization for RSV, treatment may include things like:
Supplemental oxygen to maintain a safe oxygenation level
IV fluids to maintain hydration
Suctioning mucus and secretions from the nose and airways
CAN RSV BE PREVENTED?
Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and commonly touched surfaces (phone, doorknobs)
Breastfeeding young babies and avoid taking them into large crowds can help
School age children with colds should be distanced from young babies under 1 year of age, until ALL their symptoms are gone and taught to cough or sneeze into elbow or shirt
Avoid sharing toys, utensils, or cups without cleaning them appropriately
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
Your child is breathing much faster than normal
Retractions when breathing: the pulling in of skin either under the ribs or in between the ribs
Nasal flaring: the nostrils getting bigger and smaller with breaths
Child is acting listless or completely non-interactive
Signs of dehydration, including dry lips, sunken eyes, decreased urine output
Loud wheezing with breathing
Infant less than 3 months old with a fever greater than 100.4F.
Fever of 100.4F or higher every day for 5 days in older children.
Anytime your mama gut tells you to!
CALL 911 IF:
Severe respiratory distress
Blue color around lips or fingernails
UnresponsiveIn a nutshell, RSV is just another one of the many many viruses that can invade our immune systems and cause cold-like symptoms. Most often the symptoms stay mild and will go away on their own having kiddos back to themselves in no time. However, we can all work together in protecting those susceptible babies who are at higher risk for developing bronchiolitis from this virus and becoming very sick. Education and intuition is everything, you are on the right track my friends!
For even more information on this illness, along with how to identify difficulty breathing in children and other red flags to be aware of, check out my Mastering Medical Emergencies At Home Course. You’ve got this! xo