The only way to tell if it's RSV or a cold is to see a doctor and get tested for RSV.
The doctor or pediatrician will ask about the symptoms and by doing a physical exam.
During the physical exam the doctor will also do a nasal swab test in order to determine if it's RSV or another virus such as a cold.
Another test that can be done for RSV vs a cold is an X-Ray of the chest or oxygen saturation test which can check for lung congestion.
Symptoms of RSV are usually the same as common cold symptoms: cough, runny nose.
However with RSV the difference is the runny nose is going to be significantly mucusy, copious amounts of mucus.
You can also get some redness of the eyes, coughing, sore, scratchy throat.
Initial signs of RSV are similar to mild cold symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, fever, cough and sore throat.
Very young infants may be irritable, fatigued and have breathing difficulties.
Normally these symptoms will clear up on their own in a few days.
Rapid RSV antigen tests are the most common test for RSV.
They check a fluid sample from your nose for certain proteins from the RSV virus called antigens.
RSV antigens trigger your immune system to attack the virus.
Rapid antigen tests can provide results in an hour or less.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms in children and adults.
Severe RSV can be unpredictable and is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants.
Adults 65 and over and adults with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems are at high risk for developing severe RSV.
RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.
When an adult gets RSV infection, they typically have mild cold-like symptoms, but some may develop a lung infection or pneumonia.
RSV can sometimes also lead to worsening of serious conditions such as: Asthma.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe.
The hospital will use intravenous (IV) fluids to aid in hydration, and a breathing machine or humidified oxygen to help your body receive the oxygen it needs.
In most cases, hospitalization will only last a few days.