RSV in Infants
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that, for most healthy adults and older children, presents as a mild cold. However, RSV in infants and young children, especially those with underlying health conditions, RSV can be a serious and even life-threatening illness.
The pediatricians here at Raleigh Pediatrics strive to raise awareness for RSV so parents understand the risks, symptoms, and preventive measures they can take. This guide provides a comprehensive overview to keep your family safe and healthy.
What is RSV?
RSV is a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. It’s so common that most children will have been infected with it by the time they are two years old. The virus spreads through direct contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face.
Symptoms of RSV in Infants
For many children and adults, RSV symptoms are mild and mimic a common cold. RSV in infants, who are most at risk, results in symptoms such as:
- Irritability
- Unusual tiredness
- Decreased appetite
- Cough
- Struggling to breathe, or irregular breathing
- Many infants won’t have a fever
I Think My Child Has RSV. What Do I Do?
If your baby exhibits RSV symptoms, contact your pediatrician or seek emergency medical care immediately. RSV in infants can lead to more serious conditions like bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) or pneumonia. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the U.S.
If you suspect your toddler or young child has RSV, it’s still important to monitor their symptoms closely. For most healthy children over 12 months, RSV will resolve on its own with supportive care at home.
How Do I Prevent RSV?
Prevention is the best defense against RSV, and it starts with simple, everyday habits, along with vaccinations. By practicing these measures in your everyday life, you can significantly reduce your child’s risk of infection even further, and prevent other viruses and germs from spreading:
- Hand Hygiene: The most effective way to stop the spread is frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, like toys, doorknobs, and countertops.
- Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Teach everyone in the family to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when they cough or sneeze.
- Avoid Smoke Exposure: Do not smoke around your child. Exposure to secondhand smoke is a significant risk factor for severe RSV disease.
Can Adults Get RSV?
Yes, adults can get RSV. Unless you are immunocompromised, are 65 or older, or have underlying health conditions, there is generally no need to worry. You’ll experience some mild cold symptoms. Your main concerns are getting some rest and preventing the spread of the virus to more vulnerable populations and other members of your household. Older adults and pregnant mothers are often encouraged to get an RSV vaccine.
How Contagious is RSV?
RSV is a highly contagious virus, on par with other common respiratory viruses like the flu and the common cold. The virus spreads easily through respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. These droplets can travel through the air and land on surfaces or be inhaled directly.
Because the virus can survive up to several hours on surfaces, it easily spreads in household settings, schools, and daycares.
How Long is RSV Contagious?
An infected person is typically contagious for 3 to 8 days. However, infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for as long as four weeks, even after their symptoms have resolved. This extended period of contagiousness for vulnerable populations makes it especially important to practice diligent hygiene and isolation measures to protect those at higher risk.
The contagiousness period usually begins a day or two before symptoms appear and is at its peak during the first few days of illness when symptoms are most severe. For this reason, it is critical to keep children who are sick home from school or daycare and to avoid contact with high-risk individuals until they are well past the symptomatic phase of their illness. We can all keep our communities safer by doing our due diligence.
RSV Prevention in Infants: The RSV Vaccine
For the prevention of RSV in infants, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the RSV vaccine to all infants aged <8 months born during or entering their first RSV season – typically October through March.
New parents don’t have to wait to receive the RSV vaccine from a pediatrician. Since RSV can also be given passively to a baby in the womb if the mother contracts RSV while pregnant, RSV vaccines are also offered in newborn nurseries and maternity centers.
“We are all excited about protecting our babies with the RSV vaccine. Infants are at the highest risk of harm during the RSV season from fall to spring, including difficulty breathing and hospitalization. RSV is very common and easy to spread. Our families have been very thankful and welcoming for this extra level of protection.”
– Dr. Johnson, Pediatrician at Raleigh Pediatrics
As your pediatric care team, we are committed to keeping you informed and helping you make the best decisions for your family’s health. We encourage all Raleigh Pediatrics parents to speak with their pediatrician about RSV, especially regarding the vaccine and immunization options.