How to Treat RSV at Home and When to Go to the Doctor
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Cold and flu season is here, with a vengeance. An unseasonably early arrival of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has pediatrician offices, urgent care centers, emergency departments and inpatient units across the U.S. reeling from extremely high patient volumes.
We know there's a lot of scary news out there right now, but for most kids, RSV is just a miserable virus. Take these steps to ease your child’s 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 easily last a month. You can get the infection at any age and more than once in your lifetime. It tends to be particularly tough on babies and toddlers because the worst episode of RSV is usually the first time you catch the germ.
For the majority of children with RSV, symptoms can be successfully managed at home. Below, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Pediatricians, Julie Kardos, MD, and Naline Lai, MD, offer actionable ways parents can care for mild to moderate illness at home. They also note some of the red flags to watch out for that might require a trip to the doctor.
Signs of RSV typically peak on days three, four and five of illness. They may include:
Like all colds, there is no medication to kill RSV. However, there are many ways to ease your child’s discomfort at home, including:
So how do you know when to take your child for medical care? Drs. Kardos and Lai recommend parents trust their instincts when trying to determine 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 underlying medical conditions, has a weakened immune system, or is seen by a specialist, be sure to check with their specialty care team if you have any concerns.)
In general, keep an eye out for these signs of a more serious case:
This looks like:
Most kids urinate every three to six hours or so. You know your child’s baseline. If you are struggling to keep them hydrated and there is a change in their baseline urine output, they need medical attention. Other signs of dehydration include a dry mouth, lethargy and lack of tears when crying.
Like all cold viruses a child with RSV might develop bacterial infections such as ear infections, pneumonia, or sinus infections. Pay attention to complaints of ear pain, chest pain or sinus pain.
Don't panic! 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
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