Can kids have RSV without a fever?

Fever may not always occur with RSV infections.
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What does a mild case of RSV look like?

Initial signs of RSV are similar to mild cold symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, fever, cough and sore throat. Very young infants may be irritable, fatigued and have breathing difficulties. Normally these symptoms will clear up on their own in a few days.
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How do I know if my child has RSV?

Symptoms
  • Runny nose.
  • Decrease in appetite.
  • Coughing.
  • Sneezing.
  • Fever.
  • Wheezing.
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Do kids with RSV have fever?

RSV infection can spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing pneumonia or bronchiolitis — inflammation of the small airway passages entering the lungs. Signs and symptoms may include: Fever. Severe cough.
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How do you know if your child has RSV or just a cold?

Pediatricians diagnose children with a cold or bronchiolitis by asking about their symptoms and by doing a physical exam. Your pediatrician may do a nasal swab test to determine if your child has RSV or another virus. A chest x-ray and/or oxygen saturation test may also be done to check for lung congestion.
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Not Just a Little Kids’ Virus



How do you rule out RSV?

Both rRT-PCR and antigen detection tests are effective methods for diagnosing RSV infection in infants and young children. The RSV sensitivity of antigen detection tests generally ranges from 80% to 90% in this age group.
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Can you have no fever with RSV?

Fever may not always occur with RSV infections.
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What does a RSV cough sound like?

Children with RSV typically have two to four days of upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as fever and runny nose/congestion. These are then followed by lower respiratory tract symptoms, like increasing wheezing cough that sounds wet and forceful with increased work breathing.
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When should I take my child to the doctor with RSV?

Some children with RSV may be at increased risk of developing a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection. Call your doctor if your child has:
  1. Symptoms that worsen or do not start to improve after 7 days.
  2. A fever (with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher) and they are younger than 3 months of age (12 weeks).
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Is RSV contagious if still coughing?

2. RSV is highly contagious. RSV can be spread through droplets containing the virus when someone coughs or sneezes. It also can live for a few hours on surfaces (such as countertops, doorknobs or toys) and on hands, so it can be easily spread when a person touches something contaminated.
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Should I test my child for RSV?

Depending on their symptoms, babies less than four months old, premature babies, and immunocompromised children should be tested for RSV since these children are at highest risk for serious complications, said Dr. Erickson.
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How does RSV start in kids?

What causes RSV in a child? RSV is spread when a child comes into contact with fluid from an infected person's nose or mouth. This can happen if a child touches a contaminated surface and touches his or her eyes, mouth, or nose. It may also happen when inhaling droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough.
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Does RSV clear up on its own?

Generally, the answer is yes. For healthy children and adults, most cases of RSV will resolve on their own without any treatment. In fact, there is no specific cure to directly treat the virus. It's recommended that during the course of illness, individuals take the necessary steps of supportive care.
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How many days is RSV contagious for?

People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.
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Can you test for RSV at home?

With similar symptoms for all three infections, this comprehensive test helps you determine your COVID-19, flu, and RSV status with one short swab. It's easy. We'll send you an at-home collection kit to collect your nasal swab sample. Use the prepaid shipping label to send your kit back to our lab for testing.
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What happens if RSV is left untreated?

What if RSV goes untreated? For most healthy infants without a heart or lung condition, RSV is similar to the common cold. In children with a weaker immune system, untreated RSV can cause pneumonia or bronchiolitis (swelling of the smaller airways in the lungs). Sometimes these children have to stay in the hospital.
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Does a child with RSV need antibiotics?

Antibiotics aren't used because RSV is a virus — antibiotics work only against bacteria. RSV infection can be more serious in babies and toddlers, though. Some might need treatment in a hospital where they can be watched closely and get supportive treatment for any breathing problems or dehydration.
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What is the fastest way to cure RSV?

You may not be able to shorten the length of a respiratory syncytial virus infection, but you can try to relieve some signs and symptoms.
...
Other tips for relieving symptoms are:
  1. Create moist air to breathe. ...
  2. Drink fluids. ...
  3. Try saline nasal drops. ...
  4. Use over-the-counter pain relievers. ...
  5. Stay away from cigarette smoke.
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What color is snot with RSV?

seems sick, shows signs of RSV and is less than 6 months of age or at high risk. has thick mucus from the nose or mouth that is yellow, green or gray.
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Is barky cough RSV?

Croup and RSV are respiratory illnesses that are very common in babies and young children. Croup and RSV can affect people of all ages. Croup and RSV can lead to excessive coughing, including a barking cough with croup and a low wet cough with RSV.
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What does RSV look like in a 5 year old?

Symptoms of RSV

Your child may have one or more symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, cough, sneezing, or fever. Children may develop additional symptoms over the course of the illness. In infants, RSV may show up in other ways. Your child may be irritable or less active or less hungry than usual.
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When does RSV peak?

RSV symptoms typically peak on days 3 through 5 after infection. Fortunately, almost all children recover from an RSV infection on their own.
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Can RSV be very mild?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.
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Should RSV be quarantined?

Stay home from work or school when sick, until symptoms subside. If you have very young children or elderly adults at home, including a child who was born 29 weeks or earlier or a child or adult with congenial lung disease, try to keep them isolated from family members who develop respiratory viruses or symptoms.
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When can kids return to daycare after RSV?

If my child has this disease, when can he or she return to school or child care? A child with RSV can return after it has been 8 days since symptoms started.
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