What is RSV and how do you get it?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause upper respiratory infections like colds, and lower respiratory tract infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. People of any age can get RSV, however, this article focuses on infants and babies. In children under age one, RSV is a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and occasionally requires hospitalization.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

RSV often begins like a regular cold with symptoms that may include a cough, runny nose, fever, sleep apnea, or wheezing. In very young children, the only symptoms of an RSV infection might be fussiness or trouble breathing. RSV is very contagious and spreads easily between people. 

How is RSV treated?

Most infants and children with RSV can be treated at home. The most effective course of treatment is suctioning the nose with a bulb suction tool. 

Here are some tips for bulb suctioning:

1. Have a tissue ready to clean the bulb between suctions.
2. Find a way to keep your child from moving his head too much and grabbing the suction bulb.
• If there is only one person available to suction, you can use the following hold to allow you to have one free hand for suctioning:
• Wrap your child’s body in a towel or blanket, making sure arms and hands are inside the bundle. Your child may be able to wiggle out of these blankets, so keep one hand on your child at all times. Make sure you hold their head still to prevent injuring the inside of the nose.
• If there are two people available, one person should gently hold your child’s head with one hand while using the other hand to hold both of your child’s hands out of the way. The second person will suction.
3. To use the suction bulb properly:
• Place enough drops of salt water into each nostril to loosen the fluids and allow for easier suctioning. Buy drops recommended by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not try to make this yourself. Never use over-the-counter nose drops that contain any medicine.
• Hold the bulb with the tip between your first and middle fingers.
• With your thumb, squeeze the bulb and push all the air out.
• Gently, insert the tip into a nostril.
• If possible, hold the opposite nostril closed right before releasing the suction bulb.
• Slowly release your thumb on the bulb. As you release your thumb, mucus will be suctioned out of the nose.
• Remove the suction bulb and release the other nostril.
• Clean the mucus from the bulb by squeezing it out onto the tissue. Rinse the bulb with water.
• It may be helpful to also suction your child’s mouth. When suctioning the mouth, be sure to put the tip of the suction bulb in the side of your child’s mouth to avoid causing your child to gag.
4. Allow time for your child to recover and breathe in between suctioning attempts.

Babies who still have difficulty breathing, show signs of dehydration, have ear pain, or have a temperature of 103 degrees or higher should be seen by a healthcare professional.

Watch for signs that they’re having difficulty breathing, including flaring of the nostrils, a purple tinge around the mouth, blue lips or fingernails, extreme paleness, grunting at the end of every breath, or using extra muscles to help breathe. If you notices these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention from your healthcare provider.