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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - Symptom

Alternative Names

RSV

Symptoms:

Breathing difficulty or labored breathing
Cough
Croupy cough (often described as a "seal bark" cough)
Cyanosis (bluish skin color due to a lack of oxygen)
Fever
Nasal flaring
Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
Shortness of breath
Stuffy nose
Wheezing

Note: Symptoms vary and differ with age. Infants under age 1 are most severely affected and often have the most trouble breathing. Older children usually have only mild, cold-like symptoms. Symptoms usually appear 4-6 days after coming in contact with the virus.

Signs and tests:

Rapid tests for this virus can be done at many hospitals and clinics on a fluid sample taken from the nose.

Bronchiolitis

Reviewed last on: 12/1/2008
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Meissner HC, Long SS; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases and Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Revised indications for the use of palivizumab and respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin intravenous for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infections. Pediatrics. 2003 Dec;112(6 Pt 1):1447-52.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Evidence based clinical practice guideline for medical management of bronchiolitis in infants less than 1 year of age presenting with a first time episode. Cincinnati (OH): Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; 2006 May. 13 p.

Simoes EA, Groothuis JR, Carbonell-Estrany X, et al. Long-term respiratory outcomes study group. J Pediatr. 2007 Jul;151(1):34-42, 42.e1.

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