RSV Season: What Parents Need to Know

Tips for Protecting Your Infant During Peak Season

You can’t always prevent RSV, but you can lower the risk of severe illness:

Ask about prevention options early. Eligible pregnant people can receive the maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) between 32–36 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborns. After birth, certain infants can receive a long-acting monoclonal antibody (such as nirsevimab/Beyfortus or clesrovimab/Enflonsia). Talk with us or your obstetrician about what is appropriate for your baby this season.

• Practice consistent hand hygiene for everyone in the household.

• Limit close contact between your infant and anyone who is sick (especially other young children).

• Avoid exposing infants to tobacco smoke.

• Keep surfaces, toys, and frequently touched items clean.

• Breastfeeding, when possible, provides additional immune support.

Signs to Watch For

Symptoms usually appear 4–6 days after exposure and are often worst on days 3–5.

Common early symptoms

• Runny or congested nose

• Decreased appetite or poor feeding

• Cough

• Sneezing

• Low-grade fever

• Mild irritability

In very young infants (under 6 months) the only signs may be:

• Increased fussiness or irritability

• Decreased activity

• Eating or drinking less

• Pauses in breathing (apnea lasting more than 10 seconds)

Call our office or seek care promptly if you notice:

• Fast, shallow, or labored breathing

• Chest retractions (skin pulling in between or under the ribs, or at the neck)

Nasal flaring

• Wheezing, grunting, or noisy breathing

• Bluish or gray color around the lips, mouth, or fingernails

• Significantly fewer wet diapers or other signs of dehydration

• Extreme lethargy or difficulty waking

Any breathing difficulty in an infant is a reason to seek medical attention right away. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, call us.

Most children recover in 1–2 weeks with supportive care at home (fluids, nasal saline and gentle suction, a cool-mist humidifier, and fever management with age-appropriate acetaminophen or ibuprofen as recommended). There is no specific antiviral treatment for routine RSV.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions about RSV prevention, symptoms, or whether your child needs to be seen, call Young Pediatrics at (806) 354-0404. Same-day appointments are often available when your child needs care quickly.