RSV in Infants and Young Children: What Altoona Parents Should Know Before Winter

As the weather turns colder across Blair County, families start hearing about respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV. At Pediatric Healthcare Associates, we see more bronchiolitis during the colder months, when the virus spreads easily in daycares, preschools, and other group settings. Our own library already covers why January and February are peak months, so this guide helps you get ready ahead of time. 

What RSV and Bronchiolitis Are 

RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus that infects the lungs and airways. Most people get it at least once. In many children it looks like a cold and clears up in a week or two. In some, it progresses to bronchiolitis, where the small airways in the lungs become inflamed and filled with mucus. That can cause wheezing, difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, congestion, and fever. 

Who Is Most at Risk 

Infants under two are at much higher risk of severe bronchiolitis. Others who are more vulnerable include: 

  • Infants under 1 year
  • Premature babies
  • Children with asthma or heart conditions
  • Children with weakened immune systems or underlying respiratory conditions

How RSV Spreads 

RSV travels through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing, through direct contact such as hugging or kissing, and through contaminated surfaces. The virus can survive on surfaces for hours, which is why handwashing matters so much. 

Symptoms to Watch For 

Mild symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sneezing, and low-grade fever. Severe symptoms include rapid or labored breathing, wheezing, trouble feeding in infants, and bluish lips or fingernails. If you are unsure where your child’s symptoms fall, our Symptom Checker is a good place to start. 

Get Care Right Away If You See 

  • Severe trouble breathing, or ribs pulling in with each breath
  • Bluish lips or face
  • A child who is not alert when awake or looks very sick
  • Signs of dehydration: no urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, parched mouth, no tears • Fever over 104°F (40°C)
  • A new harsh sound when breathing in, or wheezing that is worse than before

For true emergencies, call 911. 

Less Urgent Reasons to Call Us 

Contact our office if a fever returns after being gone more than 24 hours, coughing causes vomiting three or more times, mild wheezing lasts more than seven days, or a cough lasts more than three weeks. 

Caring for RSV at Home 

There is no specific cure, and antibiotics don’t work on viral infections. Care is supportive: 

  • Keep your child hydrated
  • Use a cool-mist humidifier to ease breathing
  • Suction nasal mucus to clear the airways
  • Let your child rest
  • Use fever reducers only as advised by a doctor

Severe cases may need hospital care for oxygen, IV fluids, or other respiratory support. 

Prevention for Peak Season 

Wash hands often, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, avoid close contact with sick people, and limit visitors for newborns during peak RSV months. For high-risk infants, pediatricians may recommend preventive treatments, so ask your provider. 

How PHCA Helps 

When your child is sick, we hold same-day sick visits every weekday, with a walk-in window from 8 to 9 AM. Sick visits take place in a separate waiting area from well-child checkups. A physician is on call 24 hours a day, so a late-night breathing concern doesn’t have to wait. You can also read our guide on telling cold, flu, and RSV apart. 

Visit our Altoona office or Roaring Spring office, browse the FAQ, contact us, or call (814) 944-7383. This information is for educational purposes only.