What is RSV?
Understanding Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in babies
Learn about the impact RSV has on newborns and babies, how the virus is transmitted, and the potential risks, including the possibility of hospitalization.
What is RSV?
What parents need to know
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that can lead to respiratory infection in babies, including serious lung infections. However, most of the time RSV will cause a mild, cold-like illness. RSV spreads when droplets from a cough, sneeze, or infected surface get inside the eyes, nose, or mouth.
It’s seasonal
It’s common
It’s unpredictable
It’s serious
It's concerning
It’s persistent
How can your baby
get RSV?
How does RSV start and how do you recognize the symptoms?
When is RSV season?
The typical RSV season usually occurs from fall through spring, but can vary by local area.
RSV Hospitalization in Infants (babies under 1)
RSV is the main reason infants under 12 months old go to the hospital, causing 40% to 90% of cases of bronchiolitis.Over 75% of babies hospitalized with RSV are healthy and have no other health problems or pre-existing conditions.
When a baby is in the hospital with RSV they may need medical interventions like oxygen support, IV (intravenous) fluids and machines to help them breathe. RSV is more serious for babies born prematurely or with other health issues.
As a parent, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and trust your instincts on when to take your baby with RSV to the hospital if you observe any severe or concerning symptoms in your baby.
Certain symptoms have the potential to worsen and cause severe illnesses, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Hospitalization may also be necessary if your baby displays signs of dehydration, such as persistent vomiting and reduced urination (for instance, not having a wet diaper for 12 hours or more).
In cases where your baby is having extreme difficulty breathing, making grunting noises, or showing signs of severe distress, do not hesitate to call the emergency services at 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
As RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that isolation precautions must be taken. Understanding the ‘contagious period’ for RSV is crucial:
- Individuals with RSV are usually infectious for 3–8 days
- Infected individuals may start spreading RSV 1–2 days before they start showing signs of illness
- RSV can survive for approximately 6 hours on hard surfaces, such as tables and crib rails
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.
Everyday preventive measures provided by the CDC can limit the spread of RSV. These include avoiding face touching with unwashed hands, and parents/caregivers staying at home when they or their infant is sick.
The real-life impact of RSV
When a baby is hospitalized with RSV or if they can't get medical help quickly, families feel a lot of stress and worry. That's why it's so important to talk about RSV, to get help fast, and to support families to lessen the impact of RSV.
Learn more about the key RSV signs and symptoms to watch out for.
Discover helpful tips for every parent
Frequently asked questions about RSV
RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses, but they can be hard to tell apart based on their symptoms alone.
Here’s what to look out for:
- They all share common symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath
- Wheezing is one symptom that may indicate an RSV infection, as it is more common in RSV cases than in flu or COVID-19 cases
Babies are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of RSV due to their developing immune systems, which may lack the necessary antibodies to provide protection during their first encounter with the virus. This vulnerability increases the risk of severe respiratory complications, making early detection and intervention of RSV in babies crucial in safeguarding the health of infants.
If an RSV infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause the airway to inflame and make it harder for your baby to breathe, leading to pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Bronchiolitis (bron-key-oh-lie-tis) is a viral infection in the smallest airways (bronchioles) in your lungs. When the bronchioles swell and become inflamed, mucus may build up, leading to congestion and difficulty breathing.
Pneumonia (noo-mohn-yuh) is a lung infection that can cause mild to severe coughing, fever, and trouble breathing.
Yes, it is possible for your baby to contract RSV more than once. While initial exposure may provide some immunity, it is not absolute, and reinfections can occur.
Parents should remain cautious, especially during peak RSV seasons, and seek medical attention promptly if your baby displays symptoms of respiratory distress or illness.