It’s always a joyful moment when a new baby is born. Everyone in the family wants to come meet the new addition. But, please hold back on “kissing the baby!!” RSV is real in 2025…. a few days later, this precious little baby kissed on the face or hands could be struggling to breathe in the ICU with RSV bronchiolitis.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is generally a virus present in the winter, usually at its worst in January and February each year. RSV is a respiratory virus that causes up to 240,000 deaths in children under the age of five worldwide each year, with babies under six months being most affected. In the United States, 0.5-1.7% of healthy children who become sick with RSV will die. The odds are worse for babies born premature, or if they have lung or heart disease, weakened immune systems due to cancer or immunodeficiency, or developmental delay.

RSV generally looks like a common cold or allergies in healthy adults. Why is it so much worse in babies? Their immune systems are not fully developed, and they have never been exposed to this virus so they are not able to mount a quick immune response to exposure to RSV. Also, their lungs are much smaller so any inflammation to their airways is exponentially worse when the baby is smaller.

RSV is spread through contact with contaminated respiratory droplets. Kissing, sharing drinks, or transferring things from mouth to mouth can transmit RSV. Washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and avoiding contact when you are sick will decrease the spread and help protect our littlest family members.

New parents frequently feel pressure to allow family members to visit, however, what might “just be allergies” for an adult can make babies sick enough to be in the ICU. So, please… If you don’t live in the same house as the baby, DON’T KISS THE BABY!

Many of the respiratory viruses we see are spread through droplets from coughing, sneezing, talking, breathing out, or touching surfaces where these droplets land. So, this may be hard to control. But there are some precautions you can control, including encouraging everyone to:

• Wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water and/or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating, after using the restroom and after touching public surfaces.
• Avoid touching their face.
• Keep distance from people who have symptoms when possible. And stay home from school, work and other activities when sick.
• Drink plenty of water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Get the recommended amount of sleep every night
• Get regular, age-appropriate exercise.
• It’s also helpful to demonstrate and encourage good cough etiquette, such as coughing into your elbow or using tissue and throwing it away immediately. These are good habits that we can all learn to help prevent the spread of viruses and other germs. 

Getting recommended vaccinations is an important part of helping avoid or fight certain viruses. It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t catch a virus, but getting your family vaccinated makes them less vulnerable to severe illness even if they do get sick. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect you, your family and others from getting the flu. It takes a while to take effect, so schedule yours today if you haven’t gotten one yet.

Many common respiratory viruses are difficult to identify because they have similar symptoms, including:  Fever, Cough, congestion and/or runny nose, Sneezing, Aches and pains, Sore throat, Diarrhea, Headaches, Fatigue, Decreased appetite. Discussing the symptoms with a doctor is the best way to know what steps to take next. 

When should I go to the ER for viral symptoms?

Shortness of breath:  Go to the emergency room or call 911 if your child is having any difficulty breathing. Difficulty breathing can look like breathing faster than normal or using muscles in their neck, chest or belly to breathe.

Fever:  Contact your pediatrician immediately if your Newborn has a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees F.

Older children may need to see a doctor if they have:

• A temperature higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit
• A fever that lasts for 24 hours at age 2 or younger
• A fever that lasts for three days at any age
• When in doubt, call the pediatrician for help deciding whether to go to the ER or schedule an appointment.

Dehydration:  If your infant or toddler is having fewer wet diapers and refusing to drink because of their symptoms, they may need to be seen by a doctor. Call the pediatrician to discuss your child’s symptoms, so they can advise whether or not your child needs emergency care.

How can I help my child’s cough? Do not use over-the-counter cough syrups or cold medications for children younger than age 6. These can be harmful to your child. Call or visit your child’s pediatrician for advice on over-the-counter medications if your child is older than age 6.  You can try a teaspoon of honey if your child is older than one year old to soothe the throat. Do not give honey to a child under one year of age.

How can I help my congested infant breathe or sleep more comfortably? Suctioning your infant’s nose with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator can help them breathe more comfortably. Make sure to use saline (salt water) drops and gently suction. Too much suctioning can cause swelling and irritation, so limit suctioning to three to four times per day.  A humidifier may also help.

Keep the immune system strong

While having a healthy immune system is a plus during the season of colds and flu, consider these tips for keeping your immune system strong throughout the year:

Focus on a balanced eating plan.

Don’t skip meals, so your body stays well-fueled. Aim for five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits daily to provide those immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A serving of fruit is one medium piece of fresh fruit, 1 cup of berries or melon, or 1/2 cup of canned fruit packed in its own juice. A serving of vegetables is 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw. Getting these nutrients from foods versus vitamin or mineral supplements is always best. Many herbal remedies are marketed to help fight colds or shorten their duration, but check with a health care professional before taking any supplements or medications. And don’t forget fluids. Remember to drink adequate fluids throughout the day. Plain water is best.

Crack down on spreading germs.

Good hygiene and hand-washing help prevent the spread of germs. Remember to wash produce before eating or using it in recipes. Clean glasses, forks, spoons and other utensils to reduce the spread and growth of bacteria.

Increase sleep, reduce stress.

Getting adequate sleep and managing stress can be just as important as healthy eating to prevent the flu.

Research demonstrates that lack of sleep and increased stress contribute to illness and overall poor health, so:

• Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each day, while children need eight to 14 hours, depending on age.
• Healthy ways to cope with stress include meditating, listening to music or journaling.
• Physical activity is another strategy to manage stress and may reduce the risk of some chronic diseases that can weaken your immune system.
• Even if you eat healthily, get plenty of rest, drink adequate fluids and manage your stress, you may still catch the flu. If so, your illness may not last as long, and you may not feel so bad.

Here are some myths and facts about immune-boosting nutrients:

Fact: Chicken soup can help you feel better.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are many healing benefits of chicken soup. Your favorite recipe likely has properties that fight inflammation, promote hydration and get mucus flowing. Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, broth or sports drinks with electrolytes.

Myth: Vitamin C can prevent illness.

When taken before cold symptoms start, vitamin C may shorten the duration, but it doesn’t keep you from getting sick.

Myth: Dairy increases mucus production.

You may have heard that milk and other dairy products worsen congestion during an illness. Research has not proven this to be true.

Choose immune-boosting nutrients. These nutrients play a role in immune health:

• Beta carotene is found in plant foods, such as sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, mangoes, broccoli and tomatoes.
• Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, berries, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers and broccoli.
• Vitamin D is found in fatty fish and eggs. Milk and 100% juices fortified with vitamin D also are good sources.
• Zinc tends to be better absorbed from foods such as beef and seafood, but it’s also found in plant-based sources, including wheat germ, beans, nuts and tofu.
• Probiotics are good bacteria that promote health. You’ll find them in cultured dairy products, such as yogurt, and in fermented foods, such as kefir and kimchi.
• Protein comes from animal and plant sources, including milk, yogurt, eggs, beef, chicken, seafood, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.

Stay well. In the meantime, here is a classic  recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup.

Chicken Noodle Soup with Ginger Serves 6

Chicken Noodle Soup with Ginger

10 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 medium carrots, diced

1 large stalk celery, diced

3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

6 cloves garlic, minced

4 ounces whole-wheat egg noodles (3 cups)

4 cups shredded cooked skinless chicken breast (about 1 pound)

1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring broth to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add carrots, celery, ginger and garlic; cook uncovered over medium heat until vegetables are just tender, about 20 minutes. Add noodles and chicken; simmer until the noodles are just tender, 8–10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition per serving (1½ cups): 267 calories, 4 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 1 g monounsaturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 38 g protein, 18 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 330 g sodium.

Sources for this article NC Extension Food and Nutrition educational program. For more information about the Foods and Nutrition please contact Louise L. Hinsley, Extension Agent, Family Consumer Science at the Beaufort County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension, 155 Airport Road, Washington, 252-946-0111.