What happens if my child is positive for RSV?

RSV typically lasts a week or two, and most kids get better on their own. But the virus can cause more serious infections. Sometimes RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, an infection of the lower respiratory tract, or pneumonia, a lung infection.


What should I do if my child test positive for RSV?

Take steps to relieve symptoms

Manage fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. (Never give aspirin to children.) Drink enough fluids. It is important for people with RSV infection to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids).

How long are kids positive for RSV?

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.


Can I spread RSV if my child has it?

RSV is contagious as it is airborne. RSV spreads much like COVID-19, through virus droplets that enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth. People can get RSV through direct contact, like kissing a child's face who has RSV. The virus also can survive on hard surfaces for many hours.

Should I be worried about RSV in my child?

Severe RSV Infection

One to two out of every 100 children younger than 6 months of age with RSV infection may need to be hospitalized. Those who are hospitalized may require oxygen, IV fluids (if they aren't eating and drinking), and/or mechanical ventilation (a machine to help with breathing).


Father shares RSV experience after infant daughter was hospitalized for 8 days



Should parents stay home if child has RSV?

Whether it's the flu, COVID-19, or RSV, you should keep your child home to recover and prevent others around your child from getting sick.

Should I stay home if my child has RSV?

If my child or I have symptoms consistent with RSV, what should I do? If you or your child have symptoms consistent with RSV, or any respiratory illness, contact a health care provider right away who can help you with diagnosis and care. While sick, stay home from school or work to prevent spreading the illness.

Do you need to quarantine if exposed to RSV?

They should self-quarantine away from other family members as much as possible, especially infants and very young children (who are at the highest risk from RSV).


How long after testing positive for RSV are you contagious?

People with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days. They can be contagious a day or two before they show symptoms. Babies and people with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised) who get the virus can spread it for up to a month.

How long will you test positive for RSV?

By using a rapid test for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection (Abbott TestPack RSV), a number of patients were observed, showing repeatedly positive results over a period of up to 10 weeks.

Is there an isolation period for RSV?

A person is usually infectious for 3 - 8 days after symptoms begin but this may be longer in someone who has a weakened immune system.


How long do kids stay out of daycare with RSV?

A good rule of thumb is that they can return to daycare/school once they have had no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever medicine), they are eating and drinking well, and the cough may be present but is no longer very frequent or distressing.

How do hospitals treat RSV?

Treatments at the hospital may include: Intravenous (IV) fluids. Humidified oxygen. A breathing machine (mechanical ventilation), in rare cases.

Can baby go to school with 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.


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.

What does it mean to test positive for RSV?

A positive test means the person has antibodies to RSV in their blood. These antibodies may be present because: A positive test in people older than infants means there is a current or past infection with RSV. Most adults and older children have had an RSV infection.

Is RSV serious in toddlers?

RSV is an infectious disease that can be serious in young children, especially those under the age of 1. It can cause bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the lower airways, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.


What are the first signs of RSV?

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.

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.

Is RSV as contagious as Covid?

The flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all highly contagious respiratory infections caused by viruses: The flu by influenza virus, COVID-19 by SARS-CoV-2 virus, and RSV by respiratory syncytial virus.


Is RSV contagious daycare?

RSV is highly contagious and spreads from person to person. Once one child in your care is infected, spread to others is rapid and inevitable. RSV is spread by direct contact with infectious discharges or toys, surfaces, and other objects smeared or contaminated by such discharges.

Can a family pass RSV back and forth?

Russo says. So, yes, adults can get RSV from children who have the virus and vice versa; it can be transmitted back and forth from anyone who is infected with it. RSV is typically spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes around others, per the CDC.

Can doctors prescribe anything for RSV?

In some situations, high-risk infants may be prescribed monthly injections of palivizumab to help prevent severe RSV.


Can you go home with RSV?

For the majority of children with RSV, symptoms can be successfully managed at home. Below, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Pediatricians, Julie Kardos, MD, and Naline Lai, MD, offer actionable ways parents can care for mild to moderate illness at home.

Can RSV turn into pneumonia?

Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.