RSV in infants and kids is threatening to overwhelm hospitals. What parents should know.

Adrianna Rodriguez
Updated ·4 min read
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A surge in respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, in children and infants is threatening to overwhelm hospitals across the country.

The typical RSV season begins in November and fades out in March, but health experts say the respiratory virus appeared earlier this year as the country enters its first season without COVID-19 measures.

In the week of Oct. 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 15% of RSV tests are positive, which experts say is high for this time of year.

"That doesn’t reflect the past couple of weeks," said Dr. Kristin Moffitt, an infectious disease physician at Boston Children’s Hospital. "Most hospitals, their microbiology laboratories are seeing about 20% to 30% positivity rate."

Flu, RSV and the common cold: What to know about winter viruses and kids

While RSV may appear as a common cold in adults, children and babies are more at risk for severe disease. Here's everything parents should know:

What is RSV?

RSV is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages, including nose and throat, according to the CDC. Health experts say it’s a very common infection that most children experience by age 2.

What are RSV symptoms?

The CDC says symptoms of RSV tend to appear within four to six days after infection and may include:

  • Runny nose

  • Coughing

  • Sneezing

  • Fever

  • Wheezing

Health experts say symptoms typically resolve on their own within a week or two. In infants under 6 months, the only discernible symptoms may be increased irritability or lethargy, decreased appetite, or working harder to breathe.

Why RSV can be dangerous for infants

Infants under 6 months are vulnerable to RSV-related complications because of their naive immune systems and small respiratory airways, health experts say.

Due to COVID-19 mitigation measures, infants were less likely to be exposed to viruses like RSV during the pandemic and build immunity, said Dr. Ron Keren, chief medical officer of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, during a media briefing last week.

"Some folks are calling it an immunity debt," he said. "You're seeing (viruses) for the first time and you're more likely to have a severe form of that infection."

Health experts say infants are also more likely to develop bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways in the lung, which may require respiratory support and hospitalization.

"They’re more prone to become thickened with secretions, making it more difficult to breathe (compared to) a 12-month-old child with bigger airways," Moffitt said.

Prevention and treatment: Is there a vaccine for RSV?

There is no vaccine for RSV but health experts say practicing hand-washing and learning how to sneeze are important first steps to prevent transmission.

"You want to teach your child to cough or sneeze into your elbow," or what's called their "cough pocket," said Dr. Katie Lockwood, a primary care physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. "Practice hand hygiene with them, and I encourage parents to supervise it until you're confident they’re washing well."

There are also no antivirals for RSV. The only treatment available for sick children is at-home supportive care, which includes keeping them hydrated and sometimes fever medication.

If a child is feeling sick, health experts also urge parents to keep them home from day care or school to prevent further spread.

When to seek medical care

Although most cases of RSV resolve at home with supportive care, health experts say parents should be on the lookout for signs their child may need to go to the hospital.

Moffitt said difficulty breathing is one reason to seek professional care. In babies, this may look like using extra muscles in areas around the ribs, belly, or collarbone to breathe.

"If their rate of breathing looks faster than typical, if they can hear wheezing, or a sucking sound ... those would all be signs or symptoms that should warrant an evaluation," she said.

Dehydration is another "big issue" that could "get them in trouble," Moffitt said. Signs of dehydration for an infant or toddler may include a dry mouth or lips, going six to eight hours without needing their diaper changed, or the inability to produce tears when crying.

Hospitalization may be a parents' worst fear realized, but health experts say most children recover quickly.

“We’re seeing this a lot right now but we know this virus,” Moffitt said. “Parents shouldn’t be alarmed."

Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RSV symptoms to monitor in infants, kids as virus season starts early