children s health issues
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Human Metapneumovirus Infection
Symptoms and Signs of RSV and hMPV
RSV and hMPV cause similar symptoms. A runny nose and fever begin 3 to 5 days after infection. About half of children with a first infection also develop a cough and wheezing, indicating lower respiratory tract involvement. In infants younger than 6 months old, the first symptom may be a period of not breathing (apnea). Some children, usually young infants, develop severe respiratory distress, and a few die. In older children and healthy adults, illness is usually mild and may manifest only as a common cold. 