Parents Must Know, This Is The Impact Of RSV On Infected Children

Illustration of children suffering from infection with RSV. (Pexels/Timo Miroshnichenko)

JAKARTA - The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects respiratory tracts, often causes coughs and runny noses. However, this infection is not just an ordinary flu, because it can be fatal to children under 2 years of age and the elderly.

Pediatrician, Dr. Ian Suryadi Suteja said that the virus can trigger broniciolitis and have an impact on children's growth and development in the future if infected. RSV infection can cause respiratory tracts to narrow.

This condition can cause lung contraction. Not only that, children who are infected have the potential to have asthma in the future.

"In small children, it can also cause asthma, because of this broncholitis, even if you recover it can cause structural changes in the respiratory tract, especially in your lungs, so that he can risk experiencing asthma in the future," said Doctor Ian during a media meeting in Sudirman, Jakarta, written on Monday, November 3, 2025.

Doctor Ian explained that RSV is one of the main causes of lower respiratory trace infection (LRTI).

Symptoms can be in the form of shortness of breath, decreased oxygen saturation, and serious lung disorders. In children, these symptoms can be more severe, especially in premature babies.

"In children with risk factors, such as premature birth or low birth weight, the risk of infection with RSV is much higher," he said.

In addition to premature babies, children with congenital conditions, such as heart problems, chronic lungs, down syndrome, to malnutrition can experience severe symptoms and prolonged impacts. The prolonged impact on children infected with RSV is brain damage to developing disorders.

"Be very careful, children under 2 years old can experience bronchitis earlier, but especially under 6 months. The incidence rate is very high for severe lung infection due to RSV," he explained.

"The child has convulsions due to lack of oxygen. If something like this can have a long-term impact, the brain will cause damage or disturbances, automatically the disturbances will develop," he added.

Hospital infections can occur anytime and anywhere, especially in children. Therefore, parents should be vigilant and take precautions.

Starting from maintaining environmental hygiene, meeting children's nutritional needs, and immediately examining children to a doctor if they have a cold cough, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath.