Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common viral infection that affects the lungs and respiratory tract. While it is often associated with infants and young children, adults can also contract RSV, particularly older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Understanding how RSV affects different age groups, recognizing symptoms, and knowing treatment options are key to managing the illness effectively.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of RSV, it is important to know the symptoms and understand when you should seek medical care. At AFC Burlington, our on-site lab has rapid testing for RSV, allowing for a swift and accurate diagnosis. We’re open 7 days a week and accept walk-in patients. Simply walk in when it’s convenient, or save your spot online in advance below.
Symptoms of RSV in Adults and Children
RSV symptoms can vary depending on age and overall health. While most adults experience mild flu or cold-like symptoms, at-risk individuals, including young children, can experience severe illness when exposed to RSV.
Young children are considered at risk for severe illness caused by RSV. Common RSV symptoms in children include:
- Persistent coughing and wheezing
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Fever and fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability or fussiness in infants
For healthy adults, symptoms tend to be milder and can include:
- Mild cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat.
- Coughing and fatigue
- Low-grade fever
- Shortness of breath, particularly in older adults or those with chronic conditions
While adults often experience milder symptoms than children, RSV can still lead to complications, especially for infants, young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
What to Do if Your Child Contracts RSV
Children are more susceptible to developing severe illness and complications from an RSV infection. This is because children have less developed immune systems than adults, meaning they cannot fight off the infection as effectively. In severe cases, RSV can lead to complications including bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
Symptoms of a severe case of RSV in children include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- High fever that doesn’t subside
- Bluish lips or face
- Severe lethargy or inability to eat/drink
Severe RSV infections in at-risk individuals could require specialized care and even hospitalization for oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and close monitoring to prevent further complications.
Treatment Options for Mild to Moderate RSV Cases
There is no specific antiviral medication for RSV. For mild to moderate cases of RSV, which is what affects most healthy adults, treatment generally focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the immune system.
Common treatment approaches include:
- Rest: Allowing the body to recover naturally
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Fever and pain management: Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
The best way to avoid severe illness caused by RSV in both children and adults is to practice proper hygiene to prevent contracting the RSV virus. Hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected individuals can both significantly reduce your chances of getting sick. Furthermore, certain individuals may be eligible for the RSV vaccine, however, it is not widely recommended for everyone.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Burlington for RSV Diagnosis & Symptom Management
Although RSV often resolves on its own and is unlikely to cause severe symptoms in healthy adults, children, and at-risk individuals should be closely monitored for severe symptoms like shortness of breath, persistent high fever, dehydration, or bluish skin. Early medical diagnosis and intervention can prevent complications such as pneumonia.
At AFC Urgent Care Burlington, we offer RSV diagnostic testing for patients of all ages at our walk-in clinic. Simply walk in for rapid symptom diagnosis. We’re open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm, and we work with most medical insurance plans. To learn more about the services we provide, walk into the clinic or give us a call at (781) 270-4700.
