Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory infection affecting the lungs and airways. While often presenting with mild, cold-like symptoms, it can lead to severe illness, especially in infants and older adults. Recognizing specific signs helps determine when medical attention is necessary.
Understanding Snot Color
The color of nasal mucus, often called snot, can change during a respiratory illness, but it does not definitively diagnose a specific infection like RSV. Clear snot is typical and helps keep nasal passages moist while trapping particles. When the body begins fighting an infection, mucus may turn white, indicating increased congestion as inflammation slows its flow.
As the immune system responds, snot can change to yellow or green. Yellow mucus often signifies the presence of white blood cells fighting an infection, which then get discarded in the mucus. Green snot suggests a more intense immune response, with a higher concentration of dead white blood cells and other waste products.
Pink or red snot usually indicates the presence of blood, often from irritated or dry nasal tissues due to frequent nose blowing or dry air. Brown or orange mucus might result from dried blood or inhaled environmental particles like dust or dirt.
Recognizing RSV Symptoms
RSV symptoms commonly appear four to six days after exposure to the virus. In adults and older children, RSV typically causes mild signs that resemble a common cold. These can include a congested or runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat, and sneezing. Most healthy individuals recover from these symptoms within one to two weeks.
RSV can affect infants more severely, and their symptoms may differ. Young babies might show irritability, decreased activity, or reduced feeding. More concerning symptoms can include a severe cough, wheezing, and rapid or difficult breathing. Infants may also exhibit short, shallow, and fast breaths, or their chest muscles and skin might pull inward with each breath, a sign known as retractions.
The virus can sometimes spread to the lower respiratory tract, leading to conditions like bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) or pneumonia (a lung infection). These complications are more frequent in infants, premature babies, and individuals with underlying heart or lung conditions. RSV symptoms can progress from mild cold-like signs to more severe respiratory distress within a few days.
When to Seek Care
While many RSV infections are mild, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention, especially for vulnerable populations like infants and those with compromised immune systems. Difficulty breathing is a serious sign, including wheezing, rapid breathing, or visible struggling, such as flaring nostrils or retractions where the skin pulls in between the ribs. A bluish color to the skin, particularly around the lips or in the nail beds, indicates a lack of oxygen and requires emergency care.
Other concerning signs include a high fever, especially in infants under three months, or a fever repeatedly above 104 degrees Fahrenheit at any age. Lethargy, unusual tiredness, or poor feeding in infants can also signal a worsening condition. If symptoms do not improve or worsen after seven days, or if severe symptoms persist, contact a healthcare provider. Medical professionals can conduct an evaluation, which might include a physical exam and a nasal swab test, to determine the appropriate course of action.