Could a simple cold be a sign of RSV?

Pediatric specialist Dr. Bihter Ergün warned that RSV infection in infants can begin subtly with a runny nose and mild cough but may rapidly become life-threatening in the first months of life by obstructing breathing and feeding. She said that even without fever, signs such as reduced desire to suckle, fast breathing and difficulty exhaling indicate the illness is worsening. Parents should not underestimate these symptoms and should seek expert care without delay, she added. The warning matters because early symptoms mimic a common cold, delaying recognition of severe RSV. Watch for these feeding and breathing changes in young infants as the key trigger for prompt medical evaluation.