Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is typically seen in the fall and winter with disease activity almost gone by April.

RSV is spread through respiratory droplets (coughing and sneezing) and through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.

It is an RNA virus, which is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the smaller lung airways) and pneumonia in children under a year old. Infants under 6 months old, especially preemies, children with heart conditions, children and older adults who are immunocompromised and those with chronic medical conditions are at risk for severe disease.

If your child is in day care or has been exposed to anyone with cold symptoms, suspect RSV as the possible cause of your child’s cold symptoms—which may include cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, fussiness and poor feeding.

Symptoms may or may not progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia, which manifest as rapid breathing, nostril flaring, grunting, tugging between ribs and lower neck when breathing, belly breathing, wheezing or apnea (stopping breathing), particularly in newborns.

Course of Illness

Symptoms are at their worst on Days 2-5 of illness. Fortunately, almost all kids recover on their own. High risk groups mentioned above are more prone to being hospitalized or even die from RSV.

Symptoms occur within about a week from exposure, and an infected person is contagious for three to eight days. Cough may linger for two to three weeks.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Pediatricians will obtain medical history and perform a physical exam as well as a nasal swab test. If there are lung symptoms, a chest X-ray is usually done. 

Your pediatrician will check your child’s oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter; this will let your doctor know how severe the disease is and whether your child needs to be hospitalized.

There is no definite cure for RSV. Mild to moderate symptoms are treated with nasal saline and gentle nose suctioning; use of a cool mist humidifier; and keeping well hydrated. Acetaminophen or

Ibuprofen can be given to reduce fever.

About 3% of RSV cases require hospitalization—including those children who require oxygen and IV fluids and those who may need care in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Prevention

• Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Limit crowd exposure and keep children out of day care and away from other kids if they have obvious cold symptoms, especially if they test positive for RSV.
• Teach older children to cover their coughs and sneezes.
• Disinfect objects and surfaces in your home frequently and avoid tobacco exposure.
• Mask and social distance if you have respiratory symptoms.

Beyfortus is a prescription shot which consists of monoclonal antibodies to help prevent serious lung disease caused by RSV. It acts as soon as the shot is given, as opposed to a traditional vaccine which allows the body's immune system to produce the antibodies over time once the person is given the vaccine antigen (weakened or inactive parts of the virus).

Beyfortus became available during RSV season in 2023 and is given to newborns and babies under one year of age or entering their first RSV season, as well as to children up to 24 months who remain at risk for severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Beyfortus reduces the risk for serious RSV lung infection by 80%.

Vaccine safety was found to be similar to placebo in clinical studies. The most common side effects include rash, pain, swelling and hardness at the injection site. Moderate to severe allergic reactions can occur but are rare. It can be given at the same time as the other routine childhood vaccines.