pediatric emergency care

Signs and Symptoms of Severe RSV Infection in Infants

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Signs and Symptoms of Severe RSV Infection in Infants 2

Almost all children contract RSV at least one time before they attain two years of age. For most healthy kids, RSV seems like just another cold. However, some kids become very sick following RSV infection. If your kid shows severe RSV symptoms, it is prudent to get urgent care in Houston, TX, that provides RSV treatment in infants.  

What is RSV?

Also referred to as Respiratory Syncytial Virus, RSV is among the many viruses that bring about respiratory illnesses. In daycare and school settings, RSV spreads easily in young kids because the kids are in close contact and tend to share things like toys with other contagious children. In the US, the virus sends about 58,000 kids below five years to hospitals for treatment annually.

Signs and Symptoms of RSV in Infants

Typically, RSV symptoms appear like a cold, which could be followed by more serious symptoms like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. These symptoms last approximately 5 to 7 days. Cold symptoms associated with the virus are due to an upper respiratory tract infection. They include fever with temperatures of about 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher, coughing that is usually dry or wet sounding, runny nose, congestion, and sneezing.

When the infection gets worse, where it affects the lower respiratory tract, symptoms may include a cold in addition to other severe ones such as:

  • Fast breathing
  • Wheezing
  • Flaring of the nostrils
  • Grunting during breathing
  • Head bobbing with breathing
  • Belly breathing or tugging between the ribs
  • Pauses or difficulty breathing
  • Dehydration
  • Significantly reduced alertness and activity
  • Gray or blue color within the lips, skin, and tongue.

How Hard is the Baby Breathing?

If a baby has to use muscles found between the ribs or within the neck to help in breathing, you notice chest wall retractions. You should watch the infant’s rib cage while they are inhaling. If you notice it is curving in and making an upside-down V shape beneath the neck, you should know that the baby is working too hard to breathe. Just like RSV in adults may cause problems breathing, if you discover it’s doing the same for your infant, consider taking them for pneumonia RSV treatment in Houston.

Seeking Treatment

There isn’t a cure for RSV; however, a doctor will treat the condition based on the symptoms. Fluids and frequent feedings are essential to keep the child hydrated and the body fed with the required nutrients to help battle the infection.

Since the child may feed slowly or not feel like eating due to having trouble breathing or a common cold, you can try sectioning the baby’s nose before breastfeeding or bottle-feeding them. You can use painkillers for low-grade fevers if the baby is more than six months old. Some kids with a severe infection may be given an anti-viral to help fight the infection. Avoid giving your kid aspirin for fever treatment, and get your child to NeuMed Modern Urgent Care in Houston, TX, for emergency care.

Disclosure:

The NeuMed blog is published by NeuMed Modern Urgent Care + IV Therapy, an innovative urgent care and IV infusion therapy clinic with locations in Houston, Texas.

Any general advice posted on our blog, or website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.