How to Treat RSV at Home and When to Go to the Doctor
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Health Tip of the WeekLast year, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hit hard. While for most kids, RSV is just a miserable cold virus, for others, it can lead to hospitalization or an admission to the intensive care unit.
As we navigate another RSV season, common-sense prevention tips, plus new preventive medications and vaccines can make a big difference for little ones at risk for getting the sickest. Learn more about how to prevent RSV and, if your child does get it, how to ease their discomfort and get through the worst of it at home, if possible.
RSV is a virus that causes a miserable cold with thick mucus and a cough that can last a month. You can get the infection at any age and more than once in your lifetime. RSV tends to be particularly tough on babies and toddlers who catch it because the first time around is usually the worst.
In most cases, RSV symptoms are mild enough to be managed at home. But there are some red flags to watch out for that might require a trip to the doctor.
Practice trusted infection prevention steps! This means good handwashing and staying home when sick to prevent the spread of germs.
Get any available preventive medications or vaccinations before the RSV season starts. In addition to vaccines available for pregnant people and adults over 60, a new preventive medication is now recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for babies before or during their first RSV season. The medication's name is Beyfortus (Nirsevimab). It is a single dose “monoclonal antibody” given in one shot into the muscle. It puts antibodies into the bloodstream that will help babies fight the virus. It decreases the chances of getting very sick and landing in the hospital from RSV.
Signs of RSV typically peak on days three, four and five of illness. They may include:
Like all colds, there is no medication to cure RSV. However, here's how you can ease your child's discomfort at home:
So how do you know when to take your child for medical care? Trust your instincts when trying to decide if a child’s cold requires medical attention.
If you are not certain, call your child’s pediatrician’s office. You can also use the CHOP symptom checker to help you determine how serious their symptoms are. If your child has other medical conditions, has a weakened immune system, or sees a specialist, be sure to check with their specialty care team.
In general, keep an eye out for these signs of a more serious case:
Don't panic! If your child is eligible, you can be proactive and take advantage of the antibody treatment to help prevent serious illness. If they do get sick, take steps to ease your child’s discomfort and get through the worst of it at home, use your judgement, and watch for the above warning signs.
We’ll get through this together!
Contributed by: Naline Lai, MD, FAAP, Julie Kardos, MD, FAAP, Lori Handy, MD, MSCE , Kathleen Filograna, MD, FAAP
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