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Influenza vs. RSV: Understanding RespiratoryIllnessesinChildren
Both influenza (the flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are common respiratory viruses, notably concerning for young children. While initial symptoms can overlap, understanding the differences is crucial for appropriate care. Both viruses attack the respiratory tract, causing a range of illness severity.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), RSV symptoms typically develop between 4 and 7 days after exposure. Common initial symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and fever. Following an incubation period of approximately 4-5 days, infants and young children may experience a runny or blocked nose, increased fussiness, and difficulty feeding.
Around two to three days after these initial symptoms, roughly one-third of those infected may develop more severe complications. These include a severe cough,shortness of breath,and a distinctive wheezing sound when breathing – described as a ”whimpling” sound by medical professionals listening with a stethoscope.
Though, not all RSV infections present with severe symptoms. As one expert explained, “If you don’t have a cough, shortness of breath, fever, wheezing, is it definitely not RSV? The answer is no.As RSV can only have mild symptoms, so the child or baby has a cough, just a normal cold or just a mild fever.” This makes diagnosis challenging.
Influenza,while also causing respiratory symptoms,is generally easier and cheaper to diagnose. Antigen tests for influenza are readily available, costing around 200,000 to 300,000 rupiah and providing results within 15 minutes. RSV diagnosis typically requires a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, which is significantly more expensive, ranging from 1-3 million rupiah.
For young children, particularly those under two years old, symptoms like coughing, fever, and shortness of breath should prompt a visit to the pediatrician. The presence of wheezing, detectable with a stethoscope, is a strong indicator of RSV.
