Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

As parents, we all do our best to protect our children from getting sick, but sometimes, it feels like those pesky seasonal bugs are unavoidable. One of the viruses you may have heard of — and one that makes the rounds every year — is Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV. While RSV is a common virus that affects both children and adults, it can be particularly concerning for infants and medically fragile kids. If you've ever found yourself wondering what RSV is, why it's so common, or how to best care for children dealing with this illness, you're in the right place.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the basics of RSV, offering practical tips for prevention and care and knowing when it’s time to seek medical help. We know that dealing with any illness, especially one that impacts breathing, can feel scary — but the more you know, the better prepared you'll be to handle it calmly and confidently. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about RSV and how to keep your children as healthy and safe as possible during RSV season or any other time of year.

What Is a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?

RSV is an extremely contagious viral respiratory infection. This means it primarily impacts the lungs and respiratory tract. For most people, self-care can usually clear up the virus in a couple of weeks. But for people born prematurely, two years of age or younger, older adults, or anyone who is immunocompromised, RSV can lead to serious lung infections — including pneumonia and bronchitis.

How Does RSV Spread?

People who have RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days. But infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for as long as four weeks. RSV typically spreads from person to person through:

• The air, by coughing and sneezing
• Direct contact, such as kissing the face of a child who has RSV
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands

Why RSV is Especially Dangerous to Infants and Medically Fragile Children

RSV is particularly dangerous for infants and medically fragile children because their immune systems are not fully developed, making it harder for them to fight off infections. In infants, especially those under six months old or born prematurely, RSV can quickly progress to severe respiratory conditions like bronchiolitis or pneumonia, leading to difficulty breathing and requiring hospitalization.

Medically fragile children, such as those with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, or weakened immune systems, are even more vulnerable because their bodies are already compromised. For these groups, RSV can lead to serious complications, prolonged illness, and in severe cases, may become life-threatening.

RSV Risk Factors

RSV can affect anyone, but certain risk factors , including those discussed above, make some people more susceptible to severe infection. Infants, especially those born prematurely or under six months old, are at higher risk due to their underdeveloped immune systems. As mentioned, children with chronic lung conditions, congenital heart disease, or weakened immune systems are also more vulnerable to complications from RSV.

Additionally, exposure to cigarette smoke, crowded living conditions, or attendance in daycare increases the likelihood of contracting RSV. Adults over 65 or those with underlying health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or weakened immunity also face higher risks of severe RSV infections.

Symptoms of RSV

Most symptoms of RSV are usually very mild and are similar to a cold. These symptoms can last one to two weeks and may include:

• Congested or runny nose
• Dry cough
• Low-grade fever
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Headache

Infants, older adults, and people with serious medical problems may develop additional and more severe symptoms. If the virus has moved to the lower respiratory tract, the infection may cause pneumonia, bronchitis, and inflammation. This leads to more serious signs, including:

• Fever
• Severe cough, including yellow, green, or gray mucus
• A high-pitched whistling or wheezing noise when breathing
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Struggling to breathe, with chest muscles and skin pulling visibly inward with each breath
• Being unusually upset or inactive, irritability
• Refusing to breastfeed or bottle-feed
• Signs of dehydration, such as lack of tears when crying, little or no urine in their diaper for six hours, and cool, dry skin
• Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis)

Diagnosing RSV

If your infant or immunocompromised loved one has symptoms of RSV, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. RSV and COVID-19 are both types of respiratory viruses, and the symptoms can be similar. Having RSV may lower immunity and increase the risk of getting COVID-19. These infections can occur together, which can potentially worsen the severity of COVID-19.

A pediatrician or physician will run tests to determine the cause of symptoms. Diagnostic tests generally include:

• Discussing medical history, including asking about symptoms
• Conducting a physical exam
• Taking a sample of nasal fluid or another respiratory specimen to check for RSV and ruling out other viral infections
• Checking for complications in people with severe infection using a chest x-ray or taking blood and urine tests

RSV Treatment and Prevention

If your infant, child, or loved one is diagnosed with RSV, some treatment options can still help. Over-the-counter pain relievers can assist with fever and pain. But you should avoid aspirin and check with your pediatrician about what medications are suitable for children under two. It is also important your loved one receives enough fluids to prevent dehydration.

While no vaccine is currently available for RSV, the medication palivizumab (Synagis), given as an injection, can help protect certain infants and children two years old and younger who are at high risk of serious complications from RSV. High-risk children in this age group include those who:

• Were born prematurely
• Have chronic lung disease
• Have certain heart defects
• Have a weakened immune system

If your child’s skin develops a bluish tint, especially around the lips and fingernails, or is struggling to breathe, you should contact 911 immediately. Your child may need to be hospitalized and require assistance getting oxygen — such as breathing tubes and a ventilator.

Preventing RSV

There is no way to completely prevent RSV from developing, but certain activities can severely limit the risk of it developing or recurring. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits, you can avoid receiving or passing the virus. Common prevention tactics include:

• Washing your hands frequently
• Avoiding exposure by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and limiting your baby’s contact with people who have fevers or colds
• Keeping things clean — including shared spaces like kitchen and bathroom countertops, doorknobs, and handles
• Discarding used tissues right away
• Not sharing drinking glasses with others — especially if they’re sick
• Not smoking — especially around babies who are at a higher risk of getting RSV and potentially more severe symptoms
• Washing toys regularly

Caring for a Child with RSV

Caring for a child with RSV requires attention to comfort, hydration, and breathing. Ensure your child stays well-hydrated by offering fluids frequently, as RSV can cause congestion and difficulty feeding. Use a cool-mist humidifier to help ease breathing and keep the airways moist. You can also use saline drops and a nasal aspirator to clear your child’s nasal passages.

Monitor temperature and administer fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but always consult your pediatrician first. Keep your child comfortable with plenty of rest, and watch for signs of worsening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or wheezing. If symptoms become severe, seek medical attention immediately.

RSV and Pediatric Home Health

When an infant or medically fragile child contracts RSV, having extra support at home can make all the difference in their recovery. Pediatric home health services provide personalized care that caters to the unique needs of your child in the comfort of your own home. For infants, particularly those born prematurely or with underlying health conditions, home health nurses can monitor vital signs, administer necessary medications, and assist with respiratory support, reducing the need for hospital visits. Medically fragile children with complex health conditions, like chronic lung disease or heart problems, often require a higher level of care during RSV, and home health teams are trained to provide that specialized care while keeping the environment familiar and comforting.

Beyond medical care, pediatric home health offers emotional support and peace of mind to parents. Knowing that a trained professional is there to watch for any signs of complications allows parents to focus on nurturing their child rather than managing the stress of illness alone. With individualized care plans, home health services ensure your child receives the best care possible, preventing complications and potentially reducing hospital stays. This compassionate, around-the-clock support gives families confidence that their child is being carefully monitored and cared for, even during a challenging RSV diagnosis.

Schedule Your Child’s Care Assessment Today

At Care Options for Kids, we understand the unique challenges of caring for a child with medically fragile health conditions. Our dedicated team of pediatric home health care nurses are here to support your family with compassionate, expert care tailored to your child’s needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you navigate this journey with confidence and care.

Click here to start your journey to better care.