Understanding RSV – Video
Kaiser Permanente: Making Sense of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Speaker: Dr. Keedra McNeill M.D.
We’ve been hearing a lot about Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV this fall, and as a pediatrician, I want
to help answer your questions. Two years of masking and social distancing worked well to prevent our
kids from getting sick. However, since these measures are largely no longer in use, our kids seem to
constantly be getting ill with multiple different viruses.
RSV is a common contagious respiratory virus that we typically see during the winter months. This year,
RSV started much earlier than usual, and it’s spreading faster. Children who were masked and distanced
for the past two winters, now have little immunity to the virus. So, a greater number of kids are
susceptible to catching it and spreading it quickly. There is no evidence that we are facing a stronger
new or contagious strain of RSV.
RSV causes infection in the nose, throat, and lungs. For most kids and adults, it is like a bad cold with lots
of nasal discharge and a cough that can last up to two to three weeks. It can be more severe for infants
who are under the age of six months, premature infants, or those children who have underlying heart or
lung conditions. There is a test for RSV, but in general, this is used for infants under the age of year who
are very sick. A positive test for RSV does not change treatment recommendations. So, in general,
testing for most kids is not needed.
There is no specific medicine to treat or cure RSV. Humidity and suction are the best ways to support
your child during an RSV infection. Even though children don’t like it, squirting saline drops into their
nostrils and then suctioning them out can help to ensure that they are breathing more comfortably,
especially before eating. Breast or bottle feeding or sleeping.
Moist air from a humidifier, warm bath, or steamy shower can also help to loosen the mucus in the nose
and the lungs. In children over the age of 1, honey is a great natural cough suppressant. It is important
to remember never to give honey to a child under the age of 1. If your child has a fever, ibuprofen or
acetaminophen can help them to feel more comfortable.
And lastly, ensure that your child is well hydrated by giving them plenty of fluids to drink. Children
usually do well with RSV, and while they can have symptoms for some time, they typically successfully
fight off the virus without any medical support.
Red flags include difficulty breathing and feeding. Seek medical attention right away if your child is
breathing harder or faster than usual. Wheezing or grunting, has blue discoloration of the lips or the
fingertips, if they are struggling to nurse or bottle feed because they’re having difficulty breathing, if
they’ve not urinated at least three times within a 24 hour period, if they’re looking very, very tired, or if they’re
under the age of three months and they have a fever greater than 100.4 degrees. I hope these tips will
help you to care for your child during this cold and flu season.
Featured Author
First and foremost, I enjoy being a pediatrician because it allows me to interact with so many different families and children. It is a great privilege to be a part of watching a child grow and mature from infancy to young adulthood. It is also a wonderful experience to be able to serve in the very community where I grew up!
My practice philosophy is to maintain continuity whenever possible. As a primary care provider, I make it a point to follow up with the families of my patients regarding issues that are important to them. Even if a patient is unable to schedule a follow up appointment directly with me, I feel confident that they can receive uninterrupted care with any of my colleagues.
I have always enjoyed working with children, so choosing pediatrics as my specialty was a natural choice for me. Each age group has their own unique set of needs and expectations. Helping my patients maintain the versatility necessary to meet these needs is something I enjoy.
As a former patient of the Kaiser Permanente Fairfield Pediatric Clinic, I am very excited to be a part of the medical group where I received my care. Another reason I like practicing at Kaiser Permanente is because it is a fully integrated system. This allows patients to receive the most cohesive care and allows physicians to provide continuous care even if the patient has to see a different provider. In addition, there are a wealth of patient resources available through the Kp.org website that patients can easily access themselves.
Dr. McNeill's full biography can be found on My Doctor Online. Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.