Understanding RSV- from the providers
By: Dr. Rachel King, Pediatrician &
Jana Boquin, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, RSV, the three letters that strike fear in the hearts of parents during the winter season. Most parents have heard of RSV but do not always know what all it entails. Learning more information can help parents feel more prepared as most babies are infected at least once by age two.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, fever, decreased appetite, and sneezing in most people. Children less than two years of age that are infected with RSV are susceptible to bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is inflammation in the small airways of the lungs that causes excessive mucus and secretions. This causes difficulty because infants and children this young are not able to clear their airways easily. Infants under the age of 6 months old, premature infants, and immunocompromised children are most at risk for developing complications such as dehydration and pneumonia. The illness tends to peak on days 3 to 5. If your child does get RSV, there are a few things parents can do at home. If your child is having trouble breathing through their nose or feeding, use nasal saline and suction to help clear their nose with a bulb syringe or other forms of nasal suction. Parents can also use a cool-mist humidifier to help loosen congestion. It is also very important to make sure your child stays hydrated. If your child is running a fever or experiencing discomfort, Tylenol can be given 2 months and older and Motrin can be given 6 months and older.
Treatments that are usually not indicated for RSV can include antibiotics, bronchodilators such as albuterol, and steroids. RSV is a virus and is not treated with antibiotics that are used to treat bacteria. Steroids and albuterol do not help mucus and are typically reserved for children who have a previous history of asthma or reactive airway disease. The question remains, when do we need to see a doctor? If your child has difficulty breathing (rapid respirations, using extra muscle to breathe, nostril flaring, grunting with each breath, or pale/ blue lips), dehydration (not urinating every at least 3-4 times in a 24-hour period), or fever that lasts longer than five days. Currently there are two recently developed therapies that can help prevent or lessen the severity of RSV. Beyfortus is a single dose monoclonal antibody given to infants that provides antibodies to help their still-developing immune system fight the virus when they come into contact with it. It is indicated for all infants under the age of 9 months old prior to RSV season (October-March) and some children with chronic illness up to 24 months. Abrysvo is a vaccine for pregnant mothers during their third trimester of pregnancy (32-36 weeks) from September to January to provide passive immunity to the baby for up to 6 months after birth. In addition, it is important to try to prevent RSV with good hand washing, keeping your baby out of daycare or nurseries when they are sick to prevent the spread of germs and avoiding others that are sick. The most important thing to remember when taking care of your child with RSV is to seek care with a trusted provider who is up to date on treatment guidelines that can guide you through this, at times, difficult illness.
Dr. King is an Ashdown Native and happy to be in her hometown and serving the community in which she grew up. Dr. King is married to Dr. Zach King, who is also a pediatrician . They have two children, Sydney and Baxley. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being an active member of her church, spending time outdoors, playing and coaching sports, working out and cooking.
Jana Boquin is dual board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Before joining Dr. King in 2021, she was an Intensive Care Unit nurse at UAMS and Christus St. Michael. Jana lives in Texarkana with her husband, Anthony, and their three children. She enjoys spending time at the lake, sports, and taking trips with her family.
