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Childhood RSV

Symptoms of RSV Infection and When to Call a Doctor

When RSV becomes severe, your child may need emergency medical care.

Lauren Smith, MAPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Updated on January 30, 2025
Featuring Preeti Parikh, MDReviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH | January 30, 2025

If you are the parent of a child under two years old, being aware of the symptoms of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) may be life saving. 

RSV often causes symptoms similar to a cold. However, it can also be more severe and lead to more serious lower respiratory tract infections, like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, according to Preeti Parikh, Executive Medical Director at GoodRx.

References

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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