A high-pitched whistling or wheezing noise when they breathe. Being unusually upset or inactive. A cough with yellow, green, or gray mucus. Trouble breathing or pauses in their breaths.
What are the first symptoms of RSV?
Symptoms
- Runny nose.
- Decrease in appetite.
- Coughing.
- Sneezing.
- Fever.
- Wheezing.
What does a baby with RSV sound like?
When your pediatrician listens to your baby’s lungs, if they have RSV and bronchiolitis, it actually sounds like Rice Krispies in the lungs; it’s just all crackly.
How do I know if my baby has a cold or RSV?
They have a cough with yellow, green or gray mucus. They are having trouble breathing or there are pauses in their breaths. They refuse to breastfeed or bottle-feed. They have signs of dehydration, including a lack of tears when crying, little or no urine in their diaper for 6 hours, and cool, dry skin.
How do you treat RSV at home?
At-home treatment includes:
- Removing sticky nasal fluids with a bulb syringe using saline drops.
- Using a cool-mist vaporizer to keep the air moist and make breathing easier.
- Providing fluids in small amounts frequently through the day.
- Giving non-aspirin fever-reducers such as acetaminophen.
What does RSV feel like?
In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms. These may include: Congested or runny nose. Dry cough.
How long is RSV contagious for?
People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.
What are the worst days of RSV?
RSV symptoms are typically at their worst on days 3 through 5 of illness. Fortunately, almost all children recover from an RSV infection on their own.
How can I treat my baby’s RSV naturally?
Home remedies that help relieve the symptoms of RSV include the following:
- Drink plenty of fluids (in infants, make sure they are breastfeeding or bottle feeding)
- Use a humidifier to keep air moist.
- Saline nasal drops help keep nasal passages lubricated.
- Elevate the head the bed to help nasal secretions drain.
When should I take my baby to the hospital with RSV?
When to go to the ER for RSV.
- Difficult, labored, shallow or rapid breathing.
- Skin turning blue (especially lips and fingernails)
- Dehydration (decrease in wet diapers)
What day does RSV peak?
RSV symptoms peak around day 5 of the illness and often improve at 7–10 days. However, the cough may linger for about 4 weeks due to the slow recovery of the ciliated cells.