5 Signs Your Baby with RSV May Need Hospitalization

As a parent, it’s always difficult to know when your baby is sick enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. When it comes to RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), the decision can be even more challenging. RSV is a common respiratory infection that affects many infants and young children each year. While most cases of RSV can be treated at home with rest and fluids, some babies may need hospitalization. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five signs that indicate your baby with RSV may need medical attention and what to expect if you do end up in the hospital. So let’s dive in!

When to Call the Doctor?

When your baby has RSV, it can be difficult to know when to call the doctor. However, there are some specific signs you should look out for that indicate your baby needs medical attention.

• The first sign is a high fever of over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit in infants younger than three months old. Even if your child is older than three months, a fever coupled with other symptoms like difficulty breathing or wheezing should prompt you to call the doctor.
• Another symptom to watch out for is rapid and shallow breathing. If your baby’s nostrils flare with every breath or they use their chest muscles more than usual to breathe, it’s time to seek medical help.
• If your child becomes lethargic and unresponsive or refuses to eat or drink fluids, call the doctor immediately, as dehydration can quickly become an issue in babies with RSV.
• If you notice bluish lips or skin coloration around their mouth area while feeding them milk/formula due to lack of oxygen supply from lung congestion, then take him/her directly emergency room without any delay since this could lead to respiratory failure.
• It is always to trust your instincts as a parent and never hesitate to call the doctor if something seems off about your baby’s condition.

What to Expect at the Hospital?

If your baby with RSV needs hospitalization, it can be a scary and overwhelming experience. Here is what you can expect when you arrive at the hospital.

• Upon arrival, your baby will be evaluated by a healthcare provider who will assess their symptoms and determine the best course of treatment.
• They may take blood samples and perform other diagnostic tests better to understand the severity of your baby’s condition.
• Your baby may require oxygen therapy or receive breathing treatments through a nebulizer machine to help ease breathing difficulties.
• The healthcare team will closely monitor their vital signs, including heart, respiratory, and oxygen saturation.

In some cases, your baby may need IV fluids if they are unable to drink enough fluids on their own due to difficulty breathing or fatigue from coughing. This is done in order to prevent dehydration and keep them hydrated throughout their treatment.
During this time in the hospital, you should feel free to ask questions about your child’s care plan so that you fully understand what is happening every step of the way.

Remember that you are an important part of your child’s care team, and working collaboratively with doctors can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.

Diagnosis and Treatment of RSV

Diagnosis and treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can vary depending on the severity of the symptoms. Your doctor may diagnose RSV based on your baby’s medical history, physical examination, and a test that detects the virus in nasal secretions.
In most cases, mild RSV infections don’t require special treatment other than rest, fluids to prevent dehydration, and fever reducers if needed. However, if your baby has severe symptoms such as rapid breathing or wheezing despite home remedies or over-the-counter medications, it may need hospitalization.
Treatment options for severe RSV infections typically include oxygen therapy to help with breathing difficulties and medication to reduce inflammation in the airways. In some instances where babies have difficulty drinking due to their illness or are at risk of developing complications from RSV, then intravenous fluids may be administered.
It’s important as a parent or caregiver that you closely monitor your child’s condition for any changes in behavior so you can seek medical attention promptly if required. With proper diagnosis and early intervention by healthcare professionals alongside parental care at home- children generally recover well within 1-2 weeks after contracting this viral infection.

Home Remedies

While home remedies cannot cure RSV or replace medical care, they can help alleviate some of the symptoms and provide comfort to your baby. Here are a few home remedies that may help:

1. Keep your baby hydrated: Offer frequent breastfeeding or bottle-feeding sessions to ensure that your baby stays hydrated. If necessary, consult a healthcare professional about using an oral rehydration solution.
2. Maintain a moist environment: Use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer in your baby’s room to keep the air moist. This can help ease congestion and make breathing more comfortable.
3. Provide nasal saline drops: Saline nasal drops can help loosen mucus and relieve congestion. Use a dropper to instill a few drops into each nostril, followed by gentle suction with a nasal bulb syringe to clear the nose.
4. Elevate the head of the crib: Placing a folded towel or a pillow under the head of the crib mattress can help elevate your baby’s head slightly. This can promote better breathing and reduce coughing during sleep.
5. Use a bulb syringe for suctioning: If your baby is having difficulty feeding due to nasal congestion, you can use a bulb syringe to suction out excess mucus before feedings gently. This can help improve feeding and make your baby more comfortable.
6. Ensure rest and sleep: Allow your baby plenty of rest to help their body recover. Ensure a calm and comfortable sleep environment, free from disruptions.

Prevention Tips for RSV

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent your baby from getting RSV, there are some things you can do to reduce their risk of exposure:
1. Wash hands frequently: Make sure everyone who handles your baby washes their hands with soap and warm water before touching them.
2. Avoid close contact with sick people: Limit the amount of time your baby spends around others who are sick, especially during peak RSV season (November through March).
3. Clean toys and surfaces regularly: Use a disinfectant spray or wipes to clean toys, countertops, and other commonly touched surfaces in your home.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes: Teach older children and adults in the household to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze.
5. Breastfeed if possible: Breast milk contains antibodies that can help protect babies against infections like RSV.

By taking these simple precautions, you can help keep your little one healthy during cold and flu season. Remember that if you suspect your baby has RSV or any other illness, it’s always better to err on the side of caution – don’t hesitate to call their doctor for advice!

Read More:

• Safe Sleeping Positions for Infants with RSV: What Every Parent Should Know