What are the symptoms of an RSV infection?
Many persons with RSV infection show no symptoms. In adults and children older than 3 years, RSV symptoms are usually those of a simple upper respiratory tract illness. The illness typically begins with a low-grade fever, runny nose, cough, and, sometimes, wheezing. In children younger than age 3, RSV can cause a lower respiratory tract illness, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, and more severe cases can result in respiratory failure. Symptoms may include a worsening croupy cough, unusually rapid breathing, difficulty breathing (the chest may suck in with each breath), and a bluish color of the lips or fingernails caused by low levels of oxygen in the blood. RSV has also been found to be a frequent cause of middle ear infections (otitis media) in preschool children.
