RSV: How to Treat It and When to Call the Doctor
If your child has RSV, you will probably be able to treat at home. It’s important to know when you should call for help.
Almost all children get Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) at least once before they are 2 years old, and most cases are mild. But sometimes this virus can cause severe illness.
If your child’s symptoms are mild, you can treat RSV as you would a bad cold. Nasal saline with suctioning and a cool-mist humidifier will help with symptoms. Providing extra fluids can help prevent dehydration. If your child has a low-grade fever, you can give them baby or children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Like a cold, antibiotics won’t help RSV.
Symptoms like trouble breathing, fever above 102° F, and dehydration mean it’s time to call the doctor or call 911.
This article has more information about symptoms of severe RSV, including videos to help you recognize symptoms such as difficulty breathing: