This year, communities have seen more cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) than years prior. Now that the world has gradually begun to recover from the COVID-19 lockdown, children are more exposed to more viruses than before. RSV is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of RSV to best prevent the onset of potential complications. Visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Short Hills today for RSV testing, with no appointment necessary.
Signs and Symptoms of RSV
For most people, RSV will cause mild cold-like symptoms. Although uncomfortable, RSV infections are typically not severe and pass on their own within a week to two weeks. However, if your child is immunocompromised or if you have an underlying health condition, RSV infections can be more severe and therefore treated at emergent care.
Common symptoms of RSV include:
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Fast / difficult breathing
- Stuffy / Runny nose
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Reduced appetite
- Irritability
If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit AFC Short Hills for testing. We provide treatment options for mild to moderate infections in patients aged one year old and up.
Who is at Risk for RSV?
Though RSV is most commonly regarded as a pediatric illness, everyone is at risk. If your child is infected, they can spread the virus to you and vice versa. All healthy children and adults are at risk for RSV infections that will typically pass like a common cold. However, some groups of people are at a higher risk for severe infections that can lead to complications and hospitalization. These groups of people include children/infants younger than 1 year old, premature infants, those with heart problems, weakened immune systems, and chronic health conditions.
Complications of RSV infections include bronchiolitis and pneumonia. To best avoid any complications from occurring, it’s crucial that families get tested to diagnose the virus. AFC Short Hills provides RSV testing any day of the week, with no appointment necessary.
How is RSV Diagnosed and Treated?
For most people, RSV is not a medical emergency and will not cause complications. However, if you suspect RSV it is always important to monitor symptoms. The first and most important step toward recovery is to get tested. In order to properly treat the infection, an accurate diagnosis is essential. At AFC Urgent Care Short Hills, our medical providers are experienced in testing for RSV thanks to our on-site labs. It can be hard to diagnose symptoms without a test, since the infection can look so similar to a common cold.
There are treatment options available for mild to moderate RSV infections at our urgent care center. Our providers will typically recommend a lot of rest, fluids, and over the counter pain medications to alleviate symptoms. There is no specific medication or cure to directly treat RSV. Our providers can give guidance to help families find symptom relief and make sure the virus doesn’t turn into something more severe.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Short Hills for RSV Testing
If you or your child are experiencing any RSV symptoms, visit AFC Urgent Care Short Hills for testing. Our on-site labs allow for accurate RSV testing, with results back within one hour. We are experienced in helping families develop the most effective treatment plan. AFC Short Hills is open seven days a week, with walk-in visits always welcomed and most major insurance carriers accepted. Low-cost treatment is available for self-paying patients. For more information about RSV testing please call us directly at (973) 671-5350.
