Does My Baby Have the Flu or RSV?

November 3, 2023

Respiratory infections are really common at this time of year. Since everyone is spending much more time indoors during the colder months, infections can easily pass from person to person and that can increase caseloads from November to April.

There are many different kinds of infections that your baby could contract at any point, including the flu and RSV. Knowing what he or she is sick with can help you manage any symptoms more confidently and you can know what to look for in terms of warning signs of a serious infection.

Our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team explains more about RSV and what to watch for below.

Are All Respiratory Infections the Same?

Not necessarily. Respiratory illnesses are caused by viruses or bacteria that settle somewhere in your child’s respiratory system and start to spread. In most cases, your baby probably picked up RSV from a close friend or relative who was infected and got too close or kissed your baby’s face.

One of the biggest differences between the flu and RSV is the symptom progression. The flu can make your baby feel really sick really fast, while RSV can start out slowly and resemble the common cold at the beginning.

Symptoms That Indicate RSV

Fever
Runny nose/congestion
Breathing faster than usual
Cough
Difficulty swallowing

Do All RSV Cases Become Serious?

If you are ever concerned about your baby’s symptoms, come see us! Our team can run a variety of rapid tests on your child to diagnose him or her accurately. If the RSV test comes back positive, we can offer some symptom relief strategies to help your child feel a little better while his or her body fights the infection.

While it can be scary for your child to develop RSV, stay calm and keep a close eye on your child’s symptoms. Most cases remain mild to moderate and will fade away within a week or so. However, seek medical attention if you ever notice any of these warning signs below.