What is RSV, and what can you do to keep your child safe from it?

Along with other hospitals across the country, Children’s Wisconsin is starting to see a rise in cases of children with respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

We know this viral season feels tricky and may be hard to understand with so many other illnesses — like COVID-19 and influenza — circling the community. But our pediatric experts are here to help you understand what RSV is and what you can do to keep your child safe and as healthy as possible this viral season. 

What is RSV?

RSV is a common cause of respiratory illness in all age groups. Among infants and young children, it is the most common cause of bronchitis, croup, ear infections and pneumonia. The infection occurs most often in the winter and early spring, and is so common that almost all children have had the virus by age 2.

RSV spreads easily when people with the infection cough or sneeze. It also spreads through direct contact with an infected person. And, the virus can live on hard surfaces. A person can get the infection by touching something with the virus on it. For example, crib rails or door knobs. It spreads quickly in group settings, such as daycare and schools, which is what makes kids so susceptible to the virus. 

What are RSV symptoms?

Most babies and children with an RSV infection have the same symptoms they might have with a cold or flu. These include a stuffy or runny nose, a cough, headache, and a low fever. Their appetite may also be lower, and for nursing babies that can mean less wet diapers.

Who is most at-risk?

Kids who are at greater risk for hospitalization from RSV, and other viral illnesses that impact breathing, include:

• Premature babies
  
  
• Infants still nursing or bottle feeding 
  
  
• Kids with underlying health conditions

These kids don’t have the lung and breathing strength to remove the snot and congestion in their airways. 

Most adults and older kids are able to cough all that junk up, so RSV is just a cold for them. 

What are the warning signs?

These warning signs are for anyone. If a family has a concern or question about their child’s health, always reach out to your primary care provider or pediatrician. If your family doesn’t have an established doctor, Children’s Wisconsin offers both walk-in and online urgent care. Other walk-in clinics in your community may be available as well. If your child is having a hard time breathing, call 9-1-1 or seek out emergency care. 

• Difficulty breathing. More troubling signs include being able to see your baby’s ribs when they are breathing, the area beneath their Adam's apple collapses, or their lips are more pale or blue. 
  
  
• Difficulty nursing or finishing their bottles. If a child has a significant decrease in the number of wet diapers in a day. This can lead to dehydration, making their snot and congestion even worse, and making it even harder to breath. 
  
  
• Increased temperature. An increase in temperature shows the body is fighting an infection. 

What else can I do to keep my child safe?

Take these preventative measures to reduce the spread of illnesses:

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. Or, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
  
  
• Make sure everyone’s hands are clean before holding or touching your baby. 
  
  
• Keep family members home, kids and adults, when they are not feeling well.
  
  
• Especially for nursing babies, ask those who are not feeling well to not visit. 
  
  
• Clean all surfaces with disinfectant cleaner or wipes.
  
  
• Monitor your own health and that of family members and playmates. Try to prevent contact between your child and those with a cold or fever.
  
  
• While there is not a vaccination for RSV, there are other viral illnesses you can be vaccinated for — namely the flu and COVID-19. Vaccinations help reduce the spread of the illnesses and keep people out of the hospital. That will help all hospitals, including Children’s Wisconsin, keep capacity for those who really need it. 
  
  
• Do not smoke around your child.

Should I get my child tested for RSV?

Not necessarily. RSV is typically diagnosed through answering questions about symptoms and a physical exam. A physical exam, nasal swab or even chest x-ray would only be necessary if your child requires treatment and hospitalization.

RSV has similar symptoms and is treated the same as many other respiratory illnesses during viral season, and typically does not require hospitalization. Because the treatment isn’t specific to RSV, tests aren’t needed to help guide care. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) don’t recommend testing for RSV as the test can be unpleasant (a nasal swab like you’ve seen with COVID-19) and unnecessary.

However, at-home tests are available. Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Labcorp’s Seasonal Respiratory Virus RT-PCT DTC Test that allows you to collect a nasal swab sample at home and send it to Labcorp for testing. At-home testing options can be used for those who don’t require treatment or hospitalization, as they help keep urgent care and Emergency Department locations available for those who need our help.

Is the RSV increase impacting Children's Wisconsin?

Viral surges happen every year, and this increase in RSV is happening earlier than in the past. It is causing longer than typical wait times at all our locations, including primary care, walk-in and online urgent care and the Emergency Department. 

The providers and staff at all of our locations are committed to ensuring families are getting answers to their questions and kids are receiving the care they need. During these viral increases, providers and staff work longer hours and pick up extra shifts. We all know that families rely on Children’s Wisconsin. I am so proud and thankful for our team's dedication to kids.

Where can I find care?

If a family has a concern or question about their child’s health, always reach out to your primary care provider or pediatrician. If your family doesn’t have an established doctor, Children’s Wisconsin offers both walk-in and online urgent care. Other walk-in clinics in your community may be available as well. If your child is having a hard time breathing, call 9-1-1 or seek out emergency care. You can also use the Children's Wisconsin app's symptom checker, which provides quick and easy access to some answers. The app also allows quick same-day scheduling with your primary care provider. You can download the app by clicking here.

Michael Meyer Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Children's Wisconsin

Children’s Wisconsin has more than 20 primary care offices conveniently located throughout the Milwaukee area and southeast Wisconsin. Find a pediatrician near you.