RSV is a highly contagious virus that circulates throughout the fall in most of the United States and peaks in the winter. In adults and older children, RSV causes mild, cold-like symptoms that usually pass in a week or two, but it can be very dangerous and even deadly for infants, especially ones younger than 6 months old. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S, with an estimated 58,000 to 80,000 children younger than 5 years old hospitalized every year.
Besides infants younger than 6 months old, RSV can cause severe illness in:
- Premature babies
- Children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease (i.e., cystic fibrosis)
- Children younger than 2 years old with a congenital heart disease
- Children with weakened immune systems
When symptoms of RSV first start, they may not be severe and could seem like a common cold. Your child may have a runny nose, cough, and loss of appetite. Very young infants may also experience the following symptoms:
- Drinking less
- Decreased activity
- Irritability
- Apnea (pauses in breathing for more than 10 seconds)
Untreated RSV can cause serious lower-respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. See your health care provider right away if your child’s symptoms worsen, or if they are having difficulty breathing or are not consuming enough liquids.
