RSV Infection: What Texas Parents Need To Know This RSV Season

Respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV, is a common seasonal virus. It’s so common that it infects nearly all children by age 2.

But did you know that RSV is actually the leading cause of infant hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? In fact, ICU specialists at Texas Children’s frequently see babies hospitalized with RSV infection. Despite being so common, many parents aren’t aware of RSV.

Often, older children exhibit symptoms that are often indistinguishable from a bad cold or flu. However, for young infants, toddlers or those with underlying medical conditions, RSV can become severe or even life-threatening. Learn more about RSV, its symptoms and what to expect with RSV in babies or toddlers. As a parent, here’s what you need to know to be prepared for RSV season. 

In this blog:

• What is RSV?
• Which children are at high risk for RSV?
• RSV symptoms
• How long is RSV contagious?
• How long does RSV last?
• RSV treatment
• When is RSV season?
• RSV resources

What is RSV?

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. It can range from a mild upper respiratory infection (like a cold) to a more serious lower respiratory illness (like bronchiolitis or pneumonia), especially in very young children. RSV does not respond to antibiotics, but supportive care — like rest, fluids and, in severe cases, hospital monitoring — is usually effective.

Most children will recover at home with no complications. But for infants and high-risk kids, RSV can lead to hospital visits or even breathing support, so early attention to symptoms is important.

RSV is seasonal, typically peaking in late fall through early spring, like flu season. It’s contagious and spreads most easily in:

• Areas with colder weather, where people spend more time indoors
• Crowded households
• Daycares and schools

Take steps to prevent RSV infection: RSV is very contagious and can be spread easily through touching, sneezing and coughing. Additionally, the virus can live for hours on surfaces such as tissues, countertops and toys. For this reason, it’s important to take steps to protect all babies from contracting RSV the virus, including frequently washing hands, toys and bedding and avoiding crowds. Also, it’s important for parents whose healthy babies contract RSV to avoid spreading the virus to babies who may be more vulnerable. Learn more about why a baby may cough so much and RSV.

Which children are at high risk for RSV?

RSV risk factors in babies include:

• being born prematurely (before 37 weeks’ gestation)
• being born with certain types of heart disease
• having chronic lung disease

Preemies, for example, are born before they’re able to receive the full amount of infection-fighting maternal antibodies, and their lungs are underdeveloped. Similarly, children with chronic lung disease simply don’t have the resources to be able to tolerate an infection with RSV. Children with some forms of congenital heart disease can become extremely ill with RSV infection. In fact, children with congenital heart disease have the highest risk of death from RSV.

RSV symptoms

Older kids and adults usually have mild, cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat and sometimes a low fever. Many people recover in about a week without needing special care.

Babies and young toddlers — especially those born prematurely or with weakened immune systems — can develop more serious symptoms, including:

• Blue color on the lips, mouth or under the fingernails
• Difficulty breathing or rapid, gasping breaths
• Difficulty feeding or decreased intake of liquids
• Fatigue
• High fever
• Severe coughing or wheezing

At the end of RSV season in 2024, over 30% of Texan babies who needed medical care for respiratory symptoms tested positive for RSV. If you think your baby may be at high-risk for RSV, consult your pediatrician to discuss if they may be eligible for monthly doses of RSV prophylaxis (preventive therapy) during the RSV season.

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