Rsv infection

RSV is short for respiratory syncytial virus infection. It causes the same symptoms as a bad cold. And like a cold, it is very common and spreads easily. Most children have had it at least once by age 2.

There are many kinds of RSV, so your child's body never becomes immune to it. Your child can get it again and again, sometimes during the same season.

Symptoms of RSV include:

• A cough.
• A stuffy or runny nose.
• A mild sore throat.
• An earache.
• A fever.

Babies with RSV may also have no energy, act fussy or cranky, and be less hungry than usual. Some children have more serious symptoms, like wheezing or trouble breathing. Call your doctor if your child is wheezing or having trouble breathing.

Doctors usually diagnose RSV by asking about the symptoms and by knowing if there's an outbreak of the infection in your area.

There are tests for RSV, but they usually aren't needed. Your doctor may want to do testing if you or your child may be likely to have other problems. The most common test (a viral detection test) collects a sample of the fluid in the back of the nose.

The results of viral detection tests help doctors know if precautions are needed to prevent the spread of infection. For children who are at risk for getting severe infections or complications of RSV infections, the results of these tests may help guide treatment .

Certain tests may be needed if RSV symptoms don't improve or if they get worse. Or they may be needed if complications such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia are suspected. These tests may include:

• Chest X-ray.
• Blood tests.
• Oximetry.

RSV usually goes away on its own. Home treatment is often all that's needed. When someone with RSV is otherwise healthy, symptoms usually get better in a week or two.

If your child has RSV:

• Place an extra pillow under the upper half of your child's body if they are older than 12 months. This makes it easier to breathe and sleep.
• Suction your baby's nose if they can't breathe well enough to eat or sleep.
• Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Never give aspirin to someone younger than 20 years. It can cause Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

RSV can be serious when the symptoms are very bad or when it leads to other problems. Certain people, like babies and people with immune system problems, are more likely to have problems with RSV. These people sometimes need treatment in a hospital.

• Be safe with medicines. Have your child take medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not stop or change a medicine without talking to your child's doctor first.
• Give your child lots of fluids. Offer your baby breastfeeding or bottle-feeding more often. Do not give your baby sports drinks, soft drinks, or undiluted fruit juice, as these may have too much sugar, too few calories, or not enough minerals.
• Give your child sips of water or drinks such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. These drinks contain the right mix of salt, sugar, and minerals. You can buy them at drugstores or grocery stores. Do not use them as the only source of liquids or food for more than 12 to 24 hours.
• If your child has problems breathing because of a stuffy nose, squirt a few saline (saltwater) nasal drops in one nostril. For older children, have them blow their nose. Repeat for the other nostril. If your child is over 12 months of age, you can place an extra pillow under the upper half of your child's body. For babies, put a drop or two in one nostril. Using a soft rubber suction bulb, squeeze air out of the bulb, and gently place the tip of the bulb inside the baby's nose. Relax your hand to suck the mucus from the nose. Repeat in the other nostril.
• Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, pain, or fussiness. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• Be careful with cough and cold medicines. Don't give them to children younger than 6, because they don't work for children that age and can even be harmful. For children 6 and older, always follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure you know how much medicine to give and how long to use it. And use the dosing device if one is included.
• Be careful when giving your child over-the-counter cold or flu medicines and Tylenol at the same time. Many of these medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Read the labels to make sure that you are not giving your child more than the recommended dose. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• Keep your child away from smoke. Smoke irritates the breathing tubes and slows healing.
• Let your child rest. Unless you see signs of dehydration, don't wake up your child during naps or at night to take fluids.