Being a parent is hard work! In addition to caring for our children in the normal day to day, you also have to deal with external factors like getting sick. It is especially important at this time of year when there are so many illnesses circulating about.

One illness that requires special attention is respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Anyone can develop RSV, but it is particularly dangerous in small children and infants.

If your baby starts to cough and is experiencing a runny nose, you may wonder if he or she is in the beginning stages of RSV. Read on to get the details about this condition from our AFC Urgent Care Mooresville team.

How Does RSV Affect a Baby?

RSV settles into sensitive lung and airway tissue, which causes irritation and inflammation. If you are an otherwise healthy adult, these symptoms will tend to stay mild and will eventually fade like any other minor illness.

If an infant has RSV, though, his or her experience may be completely different. A baby’s airways and breathing passages are so tiny that any type of inflammation or irritation can be troublesome and even deadly. If you start to notice your baby is struggling to breathe, seek medical attention immediately.

Early Indications of RSV

• Runny nose
• Decreased appetite
• Wheezing or coughing
• Fever

How Do RSV Symptoms Progress?

While some cases of RSV never progress past the above minor symptoms, some cases can become more severe very quickly. When that happens, quick action is important to keeping your baby safe.

Any time your baby is showing signs of distress while breathing, that necessitates a medical emergency. That may look like rapid, short breaths, chest retractions, or blue and grayish lips or skin.

Steps to Avoid Spreading RSV

• Don’t kiss your baby while you are sick.
• Wash your hands.
• Don’t let others kiss your baby.
• Cover your sneeze or cough.

RSV can become dangerous quickly. If you are concerned about the health of your infant, come visit us right away at AFC Urgent Care Mooresville.