Sometimes it can feel as though we do not get a break from diseases. Every time one passes, another one creeps up. While the coronavirus pandemic is still of varying concern, there’s another virus your San Antonio pediatrician wants you to be aware of. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) spreads among infants and young children at an alarming rate this time of year.
Due in part to the pandemic, RSV cases are now surfacing a little earlier than normal. Most children will experience an RSV infection by the age of two, and while they may not have gotten it last year, there’s a good chance they may become infected this year. To help you get ahead of the virus, we’re going to discuss what RSV is, the symptoms, and how to care for it.
What Exactly is RSV?
RSV is a very common virus that causes respiratory illnesses that infects the lungs and breathing passages. Our San Antonio pediatric services have seen symptoms show themselves anywhere within 4 to 6 days of becoming infected. When it comes to RSV, the symptoms you want to look out for are sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, fever, a decrease in appetite, wheezing, and trouble breathing.
Our San Antonio pediatrics has seen bronchiolitis and pneumonia as the most common illness caused by RSV in children younger than one-year-old. Early signs of RSV in young infants include fussiness that can be difficult to calm down, a decline in activity, and a cough.
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms or there’s a sudden change in their breathing, it’s important to contact your San Antonio pediatrician right away. At Parsi Pediatrics, we offer after-hours pediatric care to ensure your child gets the care they need as quickly as possible.
Caring For Manageable RSV
RSV may sound scary and while it definitely can be, the good news is that most cases will go away on their own within one or two weeks. If your child is not exhibiting signs that would require the help of San Antonio pediatric services but they’re still in need of care, there are some things you can do to care for your child and give them some relief for their symptoms.
Giving them liquids, using a cool mist humidifier, and regularly suctioning their nose are just a few ways you can help your child find relief while battling RSV. This, of course, is only when the symptoms are not as severe. There are times when the symptoms are too much that the need for San Antonio pediatrics or after-hours pediatrics is a necessity.
There are symptoms to keep an eye out for that require the care of a San Antonio pediatrician. If your child has a high fever, is wheezing and coughing, is dehydrated, or is refusing to eat it’s time to enlist the help of San Antonio pediatrics services. When a child is experiencing fast breathing or is having trouble breathing or has lips or fingernails that look blue, it’s time to seek emergency medical care immediately.
Preventing RSV
While RSV can spread fairly easily, there are some ways to help prevent it. Making sure your child washes their hands, avoids touching their face, and covers their mouth when coughing and sneezing. And, of course, if they’re not feeling well, avoid taking them to school or daycare.
RSV can be scary, but as your preferred San Antonio pediatrician, we’re here to help you keep your child healthy. For more information on RSV or to bring your child in for a check-up, contact our office to schedule your appointment today at 210.561.1551.
