RSV Testing and Treatment in Rochester, NY

Children pick up every bug out there from time spent at school, daycare, and just hanging out with their friends. Parents need to be extra diligent during the winter when all manner of colds and the flu are running rampant. This season in particular has already noted a high volume RSV cases.

At Lewis Pediatrics, the board-certified pediatricians provide comprehensive treatment and care for children suffering from RSV in Rochester, Brighton, Pittsford, Henrietta, Penfield, Fairport, and other surrounding areas. Our pediatricians will take the time to provide your child with a comprehensive diagnosis to determine if they are experiencing symptoms of flu or RSV. Following their diagnosis we will provide the best treatment plan to help your child get back to full health. For more information, contact our pediatric clinics at (585) 442-1421 and schedule an appointment today!

What is RSV?

Everyone is fairly familiar with the influenza virus, but few individuals are able to identify early symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus. This particular illness is extremely common in young children, though it can affect persons of all ages.

RSV is associated with symptoms similar to a common cold, which include:

• Coughing
• A low-grade fever
• Increased irritability
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing (will usually appear as wheezing or abnormally fast breaths)

It is possible for RSV to spread from person to person through vapors that are passed during a sneeze or cough.

When To Seek Treatment

Some mild cases of influenza or RSV may resolve themselves if the individual receives enough rest to fully recuperate. However, if you notice any serious symptoms such as breathing difficulties or a high fever, you should seek medical attention immediately. It is often better to be safe than sorry even when dealing with a mild case, as early treatment will be able to offer fast relief from painful symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In order to officially determine whether or not your child has influenza or RSV, a variety of tests may need to be performed. This is primarily to do with the fact that there are multiple different strains of influenza that a child may contract. Influenza A and influenza B are among the most common, but it is also possible to test for other subforms. Several of these tests are also able to identify respiratory syncytial virus within the same sample provided by the patient.

Results are typically available within a few days after the sample has been collected and sent to the lab for testing. Rapid test options will of course have a much faster turnaround time that should be available within just a few hours. If you have completed flu and RSV testing with Dr. Lewis but have not yet received your results after several days, please contact our local office by calling (585) 442-1421 to inquire about your test results.