Respiratory Syncytial Virus

A common virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older health children while it can cause serious respiratory infection in young babies. Patients with RSV may exhibit the following symptoms: breathing difficulty or labored breathing; cough; croupy cough; often described as a "seal bark" cough; cyanosis; a bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen; fever; nasal flaring; rapid breathing; shortness of breath; stuffy nose; or wheezing. Rapid tests for the virus are performed on fluid obtained from the nose. Since RSV is a virus, antibiotics do not help. Mild infections go away without treatment. Infants and children with severe RSV may require hospitalization so they can receive oxygen, humidified air and fluids by IV.