Common RSV symptoms

In the last post we looked at the question, "Is your baby at risk for RSV?" Now let's look at some of the symptoms of RSV. Common RSV symptoms: 

• RSV looks like a typical respiratory infection - coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, and a decreased appetite are all common RSV symptoms.
• Wheezing is a possible symptom. Wheezing does not occur in all cases of RSV.
• In very young babies the only symptoms you may see are decreased activity, breathing difficulty, and irritability.
• If symptoms increase in either strength or duration, a baby may need to be hospitalized, but most babies who develop RSV will not end up in the hospital.

The CDC offers a time line of how symptoms occur in RSV:

1. Exposure occurs.
2. 4-6 days after exposure, a runny nose and decrease in appetite develop.
3. 1-3 days later, coughing, sneezing, and fever typically develop, along with possible wheezing.
4. In almost all cases (even for hospitalized babies) a full RSV recovery occurs within 1 to 2 weeks.

If your baby appears to have RSV: You should visit your baby's pediatrician. Your baby will be assessed to see how severe the disease is and your pediatrician will decide if your baby should be hospitalized, or if you can provide home care. There is no specific treatment for RSV, and it's cared for as an normal to sever respiratory infection might be. Severe cases of RSV may require that your baby receive supplemental oxygen, suctioning of mucus from the airways, or intubation (have breathing tubes inserted) with mechanical ventilation. Later today we'll look at RSV prevention tactics.