Is RSV serious?
RSV can have serious consequences for babies with certain health conditions (babies born prematurely or with certain heart and lung problems). In high-risk babies, RSV can cause severe disease, including pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
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RSV is a leading cause of hospitalizations in the US for children less than of age
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Babies under of age are hospitalized from RSV 16 times more often than from the flu
Most children get RSV by age 2—it typically appears like a baby has the common cold.
RSV is easily spread through
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Touching
What are common symptoms of RSV?
Look for these symptoms, particularly during your baby’s first months at home:
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Coughing or wheezing that doesn’t stop
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Fast or troubled breathing or gasping for breath
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Fever, especially if greater than 100.4 °F (rectal) in infants under of age
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Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
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Flared nostrils and/or increased chest retractions when trying to breathe
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice RSV symptoms.
Is there a time of year that my baby is more likely to get RSV?
Like the flu, RSV is a seasonal virus, so your baby is more likely to catch it at certain times of the year. For most of the US, RSV season starts in the fall and lasts through the spring; however, it varies each year and by geographic region.
It’s important to protect your baby throughout the full RSV season—ask your healthcare provider when RSV season occurs where you live.
