Infant has RSV

[babylynn35]

I took my 4 week old to the ER and they told me he has RSV. They just gave me a paper on it, They didn't really tell me what to do except suction out his nose. I read the paper ad it told me that in mild disease that no specific treatment is necessary. So I guess he is only a mild case, but I don't know how to tell if he is getting worse. I read on another site that family history of asthma puts him at a higher risk for becoming a severe case. I am know wen he is getting worse?

[anwpoohbear]

I saw your post and you seem quite knowledgable so I thought i would give you a shout. my baby was diagnosed with rsv 3 wks ago was hospitalized for 1 day to observe breathing (basically giving me a piece of mind) was given pred. and put on albuterol neb treatments. Went on feb 18th clean bill of health. Now ...not so clean... we were back in er and stayed at hospital again for wheezing chest x ray clear, rsv neg.. heading to pulm doc on friday. do you have any suggestions or questions i should ask??? i am in a fog i just want my happy non wheezing baby back.

[babylynn35]

yes he is doing fine. he got dehydrated and the doctors said to give him pedyitlyte. but he is doing good. thanks for the help.

Kaylee

[momtofourboys]

Just wondering how the little bugger is doing. i really hope he is okay
Michelle

[momtofourboys]

From what I was told that if you baby wasn't premature or have a cardiac history then having RSV most likley is going to be mild.
here is what you should loook for for worseing things, my son had it when he was 5 weeks old and he does have a cardiac issue so I hope your little one is healthy.
look for bluish on the lops nail and nail bed. your little one really struggling to breathe if his nostrils are moving back and forth as well as him "sucking in " at his ribs. (this is called nasal flaring and retraction. (my kids can nasal gflare without being in respiratory distress. if he is making a noise like his is bearing down to poop (sorry I know that is gross) but hs isn't pooping when he is doing this. that is called grunting.
most likely he is going to vomit and it will be very mucusy. Just try to keep his mose clear. also if he stops feeding and his diapers are dry he is propablly dehydrated.
good luck to you and him and I hope that he does better
Michelle

[National Jewish Health]

You are right.  No treatment is necessary for mild disease.  Some of the signs to watch for that would indicate your son is getting worse would include:  increase in breathing rate or of effort to breathe, fever, poor appetite, and dehydration.  If you have any question, call your local children's hospital and ask to speak with a nurse or a physician's assistant (PA).  Your baby will probably be fine.

Respiratory syntactical virus (RSV) infection combined with a family history of asthma, increases his likelihood of having asthma.  But the increased likelihood, due to family history, does not worsen the RSV.

Good luck.