What is RSV?
RSV is a very common respiratory virus. Most children get RSV at least once before age 2. In older children and adults, RSV feels like a cold. In babies and young children — especially those under 6 months, premature babies, and RSV can cause serious breathing problems. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (swelling in the small airways of the lungs) in young children.
What to watch for at home
- Runny nose: often the first sign — starts clear, may turn yellow or green
- Cough: often a wet, wheezy cough
- Wheezing: a whistling sound when your child breathes out
- Fast breathing
- Chest retractions: skin pulling in under or between the ribs
- Feeding difficulty: babies may have trouble feeding because of congestion and fast breathing
- Fever: may be mild or absent
| RSV peaks in fall and winter Children under 2 have significantly higher rates of RSV hospitalization than the national average. Babies under 6 months with RSV need close watching — they can decline quickly. |
What you can do at home
- Saline drops and bulb syringe: clear your baby’s nose before feeding — this can make a big difference
- Upright position: keep your baby upright as much as possible — it helps breathing
- Fluids: offer breast milk or formula more frequently in smaller amounts
- Humidifier: cool mist humidifier in the room can help — keep it clean
- No smoking: secondhand smoke makes RSV much worse. If anyone in the home smokes, ask them to smoke outside and away from the baby
Note: There is no specific medicine for RSV. Antibiotics do not help — RSV is a virus. Treatment is supportive care.
| 📞 Call your provider if: Breathing faster than normal Not feeding well — taking less than half usual amount Fewer wet diapers Wheezing that is not improving Under 3 months old with any RSV symptoms | 🚨 Go to the ER immediately if: Struggling to breathe — retractions, grunting, nostrils flaring Blue or gray color anywhere on the body Very difficult to wake Breathing pauses (apnea) — especially in babies Limp or floppy |