Hi,
I see RSV very commonly in my pediatric ICU. It is usually worse up until the 4th day of symptoms and then usually improves. It's a viral infection, so it doesn't require antibiotics. We can have little babies and children requiring a ventilator for breathing help and we still will not give antibiotics unless their RSV course deviates from the standard course (ie. the respiratory culture shows bacteria that is more than just normal colonization, the xray is less viral and more bacterial looking, etc). Our care is supportive (clearing secretions, keeping child hydrated with IV fluids, etc).
Granted, I have not taken care of a CF child who also has RSV for obvious reasons that I have CF also. I was told that a normal healthy child/adult who gets RSV is like a cold and a CF person will have a bad cold.
Key helping points
- keep your child well hydrated
- encourage your child to eat whatever they feel like eating
- continue good pulmonary clearance
I'm sorry your family isn't that helpful in trying to protect your son from known viruses. There are some viruses out there that we can't even test for as well as sometimes the incubation period occurs prior to symptoms appearing so you can already be exposed to it. It's an unfortunate part of the viral season. The only thing to remember is that some people will not understand what it is like to try and protect your CF child from a potential viral process that can exacerbate a CF infection. Only those who live that CF life (or other significant health issues, ie cancer, congenital heart disease) really understand the constant worry and waiting for "the other shoe to drop."
Good luck.
Jenn
30 yo cf
