RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus
This is the most common cause of respiratory infections in children, and it often occurs in yearly outbreaks. RSV is especially common in the winter and early spring, and it can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year old.
Emergency warning signs
Seek immediate medical care if your child has any of the following symptoms:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish lips or face
- Ribs pulling in with each breath
- Chest pain
- Severe muscle pain
- Dehydration
- Lack of alertness or interacting when awake
- Seizures
- Fever above 104°F that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine
- Home treatment Most respiratory illnesses can be managed at home without prescription medications. You can try to keep your child comfortable and treat their symptoms by giving them fluids like water, soups, sports drinks, and popsicles.
Croup, also known as laryngotracheitis, is a viral infection that causes a number of symptoms, including:
Children with croup have trouble breathing because their small airways swell. Croup symptoms usually get worse at night or when there’s a sudden change in temperature. They typically last for a few days, but can sometimes last up to two weeks. Most cases can be treated at home, but a doctor may prescribe a steroid for more persistent cases. You should call emergency services if your child is having trouble breathing, their lips or face turn blue, or they’re drooling.
Bronchiolitis
Symptoms of bronchiolitis include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Wheezing
- Breathing problems
- Bluish skin due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis)
- Fatigue
- Intercostal retractions
- Wide nostrils when breathing
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
Treatment
Treatment focuses on easing symptoms and keeping your child hydrated. Here are some treatments for bronchiolitis:
- Hydration
- Saline: Saline nose drops can help with a blocked nose.
- Suction bulb: A suction bulb can help clear your child's nasal airways.
- Humidifier: A cool-mist humidifier can help loosen mucus and relieve congestion.
- Antipyretics: Acetaminophen can help if your child has a fever.
- Positioning: Keep your child upright as much as possible when they're awake
- Prednisone: Prednisone may be useful for patients with asthma or bronchiolitis with asthmatic qualities.
Most children feel better and can go home in about 2 to 5 days. Children with more severe cases may need to stay in the hospital for 4 to 8 days.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. It’s a serious lung infection that can cause repeated coughing fits that can last for weeks or months.
Early symptoms can be similar to a common cold, but later symptoms include:
- A high-pitched "whoop" sound when inhaling after a coughing fit
- Vomiting during or after coughing fits
- Feeling very tired after a coughing fit
- Difficulty sleeping at night
- Struggling to breathe
- Fractured rib
Whooping cough is most serious for babies with small airways and can lead to death. Infected babies may struggle to breathe, or they may even temporarily stop breathing. Teens and adults usually have milder symptoms, and sometimes a persistent hacking cough is the only sign
Treatments
- Getting plenty of rest
- Drinking plenty of fluids, like water, juice, and soups
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals to avoid vomiting
- Keeping your home free of irritants that can trigger coughing spells, like tobacco smoke and fumes from fireplaces
- Covering your cough and washing your hands often
- Wearing a mask if you must be around others