How to treat RSV at home and when to go to the doctor

By: Our affiliates at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Cold and flu season is here, with a vengeance. For most kids, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is just a miserable virus. Take these steps to ease your child's discomfort and get through the worst of it at home, if possible.

What is RSV?

RSV is a virus that causes a miserable cold with thick mucus and a cough that can easily last a month. You can get the infection at any age and more than once in your lifetime. It tends to be particularly tough on babies and toddlers because the worst episode of RSV is usually the first time you catch the germ.

Symptoms of RSV

For the majority of children with RSV, symptoms are mild and can be successfully managed at home. Signs of RSV typically peak on days three, four and five of illness. They may include:

• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Wheezing

How to treat RSV at home

Like all colds, there is no medication to kill RSV. However, there are many ways to ease your child's discomfort at home, including:

• Clear up congestion
• Use steam through a warm bath or cool mist humidifier
• Let honey help (if one-year-olds and older)
• Relieve pain
• Stay hydrated through fluids (milk will not increase mucus) and hydrating foods

When to see a doctor

In general, you should take your child to the doctor if they show these signs of a more serious case:

• Breathing trouble (including rapid breathing, using extra muscles to breathe, difficulty breathing and drinking at the same time or lips turning blue)
• Dehydration
• Pain

RSV prevention tips

Handwashing and staying home when sick apply to all illnesses, including RSV.

A preventive vaccine decreases the chance of getting very ill and being hospitalized for RSV. The vaccine is recommended for:

• Pregnant people
• All adults ages 75 years and older
• Adults ages 50-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV
• Babies who did not receive the vaccine in utero before they were born

The latest guidance

This is a general overview of RSV. For the most up‑to‑date recommendations on ways to treat RSV at home, and for information on how to know if a medical visit is needed, review the full tips on CHOP's website.