About this topic
Respiratory syncytial virus is also called RSV. It can give your child the same signs as the common cold or flu. RSV is easy to catch and you can get it more than once. It causes a lot of lung problems in infants and children. Some of them are: ‚
- An infection of the small airways in the lungs. This is bronchiolitis.
- An infection in the lungs. This is pneumonia.
- An infection in the airways, voicebox, and windpipe that causes a barking cough. This is croup.
RSV infection is easily passed from one person to another. The signs often go away in 1 to 2 weeks. Your child may have RSV more than one time. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids each day. Ask your doctor what the right amount of fluids is for your child.
- You may use nose drops to relieve your childs stuffy nose. You can also use a nose bulb to suction out sticky nasal fluids from your child's or infant's nose.
- A cool mist humidifier in your child's room may help loosen secretions. It may also help with other signs.
- If your child has trouble breathing, have your child sit upright.
- If the doctor gave your child fluids through the blood vessels, be sure to clean the puncture site every day. Do this until it has fully healed.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Make breathing easier
- Lower swelling
- Help a sore throat
- Ease runny and stuffy nose
Will physical activity be limited?
Encourage your child to get lots of rest. Have your child sleep when feeling tired. Have your child avoid doing tiring activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Give your child liquids and soft foods like soup if swallowing is too painful for your child. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Too much fluid loss. This is dehydration.
- Very bad lung problems that make it hard for your child to breathe
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Teach your child to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. Teach your child to sing the Happy Birthday song or the ABCs while washing hands.
- If your child is sick, teach your child to cover the mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Your child can also cough into the elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash hands after touching used tissues.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Do not share utensils and glasses.
- Wash toys daily.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Do not allow anyone to smoke around your baby or child.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough.
- Trouble breathing or your child is breathing very fast.
- Call if your child is younger than 1 year old and breathing more than 60 breaths a minute.
- Call if your child is older than 1 year old and breathing more than 40 breaths a minute.
- Bluish color of the skin, lips, and nail beds
- You feel your child is more sleepy, very fussy, or confused
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my child's breathing.
- I can tell you what I can do to help my child avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has trouble breathing or a bluish color of the skin, lips, or nailbeds.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Respiratory-Syncytial-Virus-RSV.aspx ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/rsv-vrs/index_e.php ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/rsv.html# ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bronchiolitis/pages/causes.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚