Respiratory syncytial virus is common in young children, with most children contracting the virus before their second birthday. It often spreads easily among children in daycare or school settings due to close contact and shared toys. In the United States, RSV sends an estimated 58,000 children under the age of 5 to the hospital for treatment each year, and nearly 177,000 adults are hospitalized for the virus. Respiratory syncytial virus is also a leading cause of death in adults over 65, with an estimated 14,000 fatalities annually. Globally, it is estimated that RSV affects around 64 million people and causes 160,000 deaths.
How Do Babies Get Infected with RSV?
Babies can contract the respiratory syncytial virus through close contact with an infected person or by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching their mouth or nose. Some common ways that babies can get RSV to include being kissed by someone with the virus, coming into contact with an infected person’s saliva or mucus on an object or toy, and being in proximity to an infected person who coughs or sneezes. RSV can be particularly dangerous for premature infants, babies under 6 months old, and children with compromised immune systems.
Symptoms of RSV
Recognizing RSV can be difficult because the main symptoms are symptoms that occur with various respiratory diseases, think the flu, a severe cold, sinus infection, as well as COVID-19. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Fatigue
- (Mild) headache
- Sore throat
Symptoms of RSV in Babies & Toddlers
The symptoms of the respiratory syncytial virus can vary in severity and presentation depending on the age group. Not all babies experience RSV symptoms like coughing and a runny nose. Symptoms in babies & toddlers include:
- Fussiness or irritability
- Decreased appetite
- Minimal interest in activities
- Trouble swallowing
Severe symptoms for children under the age of 2 include:
- Noisy breathing
- Flaring of nostrils with every breath.
- Blue or gray color to their lips, mouth, and fingernails
- Belly breathing or “caving in” of the chest
- Changes in their breathing pattern
- Pauses while breathing.
Continue reading on the next page, and discover how this virus is treated and if you can prevent it.
