Did you know…?

Almost all children will be infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by their second birthday.  RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.  Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and young children.  Each year in the US, more than 57,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized due to RSV infection.  RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age.  These infections generally occur during fall, winter and spring.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Reduced appetite
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Wheezing

People with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days.  Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school or child-care centers.

Help prevent the spread of RSV:

Information from CDC.gov

This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.