|
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of RSV vary depending on the severity of the infection and where the virus is located in the respiratory tract. Initially, RSV typically affects the upper respiratory tract causing symptoms such as:
- fever
- runny nose that usually has a clear discharge
- nasal congestion
- cough
- sore throat
- decreased appetite
- irritability
- rapid breathing
As the infection worsens-meaning the virus travels down to the lower respiratory tract and to the smaller airways of the lungs - it can cause swelling or inflammation of the lungs and more severe symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and rapid breathing. As the infection worsens, the child may begin to wheeze (a high-pitched noise when exhaling). The child may not want to eat or drink as usual, and they may appear more tired.
In the most severe RSV infections, the lips and nails may appear pale or blue along with the child's rapid or difficult breathing. If the infection becomes severe enough, the child may even experience short pauses (10-15 seconds in length or longer) in breathing. If you notice that your child experiences any of these more severe symptoms such as pale or blue lip and nail coloring, fast breathing, difficulty breathing, or pauses in breathing, the child needs to be taken to the Emergency Room immediately.
It is important to note that the symptoms of cough and wheezing associated with RSV infection may linger for about 4 to 8 weeks following the infection. However, wheezing generally lasts for about 7 days, and coughing usually lasts for 14 days.
|
What are the symptoms?
