Visit our foundation to give a gift.
 View Locations Near Me
Main Campus – Hartford
Connecticut Children’s – Waterbury
Urgent Care – Farmington
Specialty Care Center – Danbury
Connecticut Children’s Surgery Center at FarmingtonÂ
Specialty Care Center – Fairfield
Search All LocationsÂ
Find a doctorÂ
Contact Us Â
Search SpecialtiesÂ
Find A DoctorÂ
Request an Appointment
Locations
Amenities and Services
Who’s Who on Care Team
Getting Ready for Surgery
What to Expect—Picture Stories
Disney Initiative
Pay a Bill
Understanding the Different Fees
Pricing Transparency and Estimates
Child Life
Raytheon Technologies Family Resource Center
Family Advisory Council
Transition Programs
Advocacy
Legal Advocacy: Benefits, Education, Housing
Electronic Health Records
MyChart
Share Your Story
Pay a BillÂ
Login to MyChartÂ
Specialty Referrals
Clinical Support Services Referrals
Inpatient Referrals
ED/Transport Referrals
About the Network
Join the Network
Graduate Medical Education
Continuing Medical Education
MOC/Practice Quality Improvement
Educating Practices in the Community (EPIC)
For Nurses
Learning & Performance
Research
Resources
CLASP/Referral Guidelines
Meet our Physician Relations Team
Request Medical Records
Join our Referring Provider Advisory Board
View our Physician Callback Standards
Read & Subscribe to Medical NewsÂ
Register for Email Updates
Update Your Practice Information
Refer a Patient Â
Contact OneCall Â
Find and Print Health Info Â
Health Information For Parents
May also be called: RSV
Respiratory syncytial (sin-sish-EE-ul) virus (RSV) is a contagious infection of the lungs and breathing passages.
RSV is highly contagious and a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. The virus spreads through droplets in coughs or sneezes, or when someone touches a contaminated surface (like a countertop or doorknob).
Most children have had an RSV infection by age 2. Older kids might have only mild, cold-like symptoms (cough, stuffy nose, low-grade fever), but infants younger than 1 year old may have more severe symptoms and trouble breathing. Most at risk are premature babies and kids with diseases that affect the lungs, heart, or immune system.
RSV can cause respiratory illnesses, such as croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, as well as ear infections.
Home care and making kids as comfortable as possible usually is enough to manage RSV. Babies, though, might need to be hospitalized to watch for breathing difficulties and other problems.
Thorough and frequent hand washing is key in preventing the spread of RSV. At-risk infants can be given a monthly injection of a medication containing RSV antibodies during peak RSV season (roughly November to April).
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
If you’re about to begin caring for your preemie at home, try to relax. With some preparation and planning, you’ll be ready.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of this contagious infection.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of germs, most commonly viruses. Read about symptoms and treatment.
By the time we’re 70 years old, we will have taken at least 600 million breaths. All of this breathing couldn’t happen without the respiratory system.
Croup often causes kids to have a loud cough that sounds like a seal barking. Most cases of croup are caused by viruses, are mild, and can be treated at home.
