It's cold and flu season: here's what parents want to know about RSV
You’ve probably heard of RSV. And if you have a young child, you’ve probably cared for them when they were sick with an RSV infection. But what is it, and how can you help your child?
In this short blog, we’re sharing what parents have told us they want to know about RSV.
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (aka RSV) is a very contagious virus that commonly causes bronchiolitis. When a child has an RSV infection, their airways swell and fill with mucus. It affects the lower part of the lungs, and is common in babies and young children under 2.
Symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Trouble breathing in (check for sucking in of the skin around the collarbones and between the ribs when breathing)
Tips to help stop the spread of RSV:
These are some things that you and your child can do to help prevent RSV from spreading.
What can you do when your child has bronchiolitis?
If your child has an RSV infection, or the symptoms of bronchiolitis, there are some things you can do at home to help them. Here are some tips for managing your child’s symptoms at home:
1. Dealing with coughs
Sitting upright may help your child breathe easier.
Cool mist humidifiers may help lessen congestion.
Avoid over-the-counter cough medications. They can have harmful side effects in children and are NOT recommended in children under 6 years of age.
2. Dealing with nasal congestion
Clean your child’s nose with a nasal aspirator (e.g., Hydrasense™, Nosefrieda™) or bulb syringe and an over the counter salt water nose spray. Follow the directions provided, and clean their nose as often as needed throughout the day (especially before meals and sleep times).
3. Eating and drinking
Your child may not want to eat much when they are sick, and that is ok.
Your child may not want to drink as much as they usually do, but continue to offer small amounts of clear fluids throughout the day so they stay hydrated (e.g., water, milk, juice, clear soup, etc.).
Babies should continue to breast or bottle feed as usual.
4. Fever and discomfort
You may give Acetaminophen (Tylenol® or Tempra®) or Ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) to keep your child comfortable. Use as directed on the packaging or instructed by a health care provider.
Finding reliable health information can be tricky. We can help!
We want to help make a difference in the health of children. That’s why we make research-based resources that are easy to understand and easy to access. All of our resources have been made with parents and healthcare providers. This helps us make sure they are clinically relevant, and that they have all the information you need. Every resource we make is available online, for free. You can check them out here:
You can also find out resources on trusted healthcare sites across Canada, including MyHealthAlberta, SickKids About Kids Health, TREKK, and more! To find out more about us and what we do, check out the rest of our website!
