Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is one of the leading causes of infant hospitalizations. Knowing the symptoms that indicate a worsening illness can help you take quick action and provide immediate care when needed.
At Express Emergency Room, Temple, TX, our expert healthcare team is equipped to provide state-of-the-art urgent treatment for RSV complications in children and adults.
Can RSV Be Life-Threatening?
RSV in adults and healthy children exhibit mild symptoms that mimic the common cold and resolve without needing any emergency care. However, severe infections in young children or immunocompromised adults can send them to an ER.
High-risk groups who can develop severe RSV infections needing emergency care include-
- Children below the age of 12 months
- Prematurely born infants
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older (above 65 years) adults
- Immunocompromised individuals
One of the life-threatening complications of severe RSV infections is pneumonia. If pneumonia occurs due to severe lower respiratory tract infection due to RSV, your lung’s alveoli (air-filled microscopic sacs) start filling with pus and fluid. It makes the exchange of gasses difficult, causing a lack of oxygen in the blood.
Our facility can help people who develop symptoms such as bronchitis and pneumonia due to severe RSV infections.
Therefore, it is crucial to know the signs indicating RSV infections may progress into pneumonia or bronchitis.
How To Know If RSV Is Turning Into Pneumonia?
Once the RSV infections spread into the lower respiratory tract, the risk of patients needing emergency pneumonia treatment, significantly increases. Hence, it is important to spot these signs that indicate such complications developing so the patient can receive emergency care.
Some of the signs of severe RSV infection include the following-
- High fever that is not responding to antipyretics
- Severe cough and difficulty in breathing
- Wheezing
- Short, rapid, and shallow breathing in infants
- Poor feeding and increased irritability in children
- Infants might need emergency RSV treatment if any of the above-mentioned symptoms occur.
How Is RSV Diagnosed?
In case of mild RSV infections, your doctor might not order a lab test to diagnose the infection. However, the doctor might order a confirmatory lab test if the patient falls under the high-risk group.
Additional testing is needed for severe RSV infections that require hospitalization in a 24-hour emergency room in Houston, TX. Our doctors at Express Emergency Room Temple, TX, might order a chest X-ray or a CT scan to check for lung abnormalities and to see the progression of pneumonia.
As pneumonia or bronchitis can be life-threatening complications of RSV infections, it is crucial to take your infant to an ER near you if the symptoms worsen. The faster the baby receives medical care, the lesser the chance of severe complications.
At Express Emergency Room, Temple, TX, you get the best emergency care round the clock in a friendly and positive environment. Visit or call us today to learn more about our services.
FAQs
Yes, RSV can progress to pneumonia, especially in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised adults. Early detection can help prevent complications. If symptoms worsen, visit our ER for timely care.
Signs like high fever, wheezing, and rapid breathing can indicate RSV turning into pneumonia. Seek immediate care if these symptoms arise. Our ER provides expert diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms include persistent cough, fever, shallow breathing, and reduced appetite. If you notice these signs, it may be a sign of worsening infection. Visit our ER for an assessment and immediate care.
RSV itself is usually mild but can lead to pneumonia, which is more dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Seek ER care if symptoms become severe.
RSV often mimics a cold with a runny nose and mild cough, while pneumonia involves severe cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. Visit our ER if these symptoms escalate.
Yes, RSV can lead to pneumonia in high-risk adults, such as those with lung conditions or weakened immune systems. If symptoms worsen, seek immediate care at our ER.
RSV can infect the lower respiratory tract, causing lung inflammation that leads to pneumonia. Come to our ER at the first sign of severe symptoms.
Mild RSV lasts about 1–2 weeks, but if it worsens, serious symptoms may appear within a few days. Visit our ER if symptoms persist or intensify.
Treatment may include oxygen therapy, fluids, and, in severe cases, antibiotics for bacterial infections. Our ER offers immediate support for RSV complications.
Antibiotics don’t treat RSV, but they may be used if RSV leads to bacterial pneumonia. If symptoms worsen, seek professional care at our ER.
Yes, RSV can develop into pneumonia or coexist with it, especially in vulnerable patients. Visit our ER for quick diagnosis and specialized care.
RSV pneumonia is diagnosed with chest X-rays and sometimes lab tests. Fast diagnosis is essential. Bring your child to our ER if you notice severe symptoms.
RSV usually affects infants and children, while walking pneumonia is a milder form often seen in older children and adults. Visit our ER to determine the correct diagnosis.
Severe RSV can increase the risk of asthma and other respiratory issues. Visit our ER for prompt treatment to reduce long-term complications.
There are vaccines available to protect older persons against severe RSV. Vaccines for pregnant women and monoclonal antibody products are available to protect newborns and young children against severe RSV. Contact our ER for more information on RSV prevention.
High-risk adults, including those with chronic illnesses, are more likely to develop complications like pneumonia from RSV. Visit our ER if symptoms worsen.
RSV is highly contagious, often spreading through droplets, while pneumonia varies in contagion depending on the cause. Seek ER care for severe symptoms.
Severe RSV can strain the heart, especially in infants and those with preexisting conditions. If symptoms are severe, visit our ER immediately.
Rest, hydration, and symptomatic relief are key, but severe symptoms need medical intervention. Seek care at our ER for prompt relief if needed.
Monitoring, early treatment, and managing symptoms can prevent RSV from worsening. If symptoms become severe, visit our ER for urgent care.
