What Happens After a Telemedicine Visit for RSV (Suspected) - Triage

Audience: pediatric

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that often causes cold-like symptoms in children. After a telemedicine visit for suspected RSV, your healthcare provider will guide you on how to care for your child at home and when to seek further medical help. Most children recover with rest, fluids, and monitoring. The provider may suggest ways to ease symptoms and watch for warning signs. If your child’s breathing worsens or they show danger signs, you may need urgent in-person care. Telemedicine helps by providing quick advice and support, but it cannot replace hands-on exams or emergency treatment. Understanding what to expect after the visit can help you keep your child safe and comfortable.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child has difficulty breathing with fast or labored breaths, chest pulling in, or nostril flaring — seek emergency care immediately.
• Child’s lips, face, or nails turn blue or gray — call emergency services right away.
• Child is very lethargic, unresponsive, or has seizures — get urgent medical help immediately.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial symptom assessment and guidance for suspected RSV.
• Advice on home care and symptom management.
• Determining if in-person evaluation is needed.
• Answering questions about RSV and supportive care.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Physical examination to assess breathing and oxygen levels.
• Administering emergency treatments or oxygen therapy.
• Performing diagnostic tests like chest X-rays or lab tests.
• Managing severe or worsening respiratory distress requiring hospital care.

What to Expect After Your Telemedicine Visit

After your telemedicine visit, your healthcare provider may give you advice on how to care for your child's symptoms at home. This often includes keeping your child comfortable, ensuring they drink enough fluids, and watching for any changes in their breathing or behavior. You might receive instructions on using fever reducers or humidifiers to ease symptoms. The provider may also explain when to seek further care if symptoms worsen.

Common Home Care Tips for Suspected RSV

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When to Seek In-Person Medical Care

If your child develops any of the following signs, seek medical care immediately:

These can be signs of severe RSV or complications that need urgent attention.

How Telemedicine Supports Your Child’s Care

Telemedicine allows you to connect with healthcare providers quickly from home. Providers can assess symptoms, give advice, and help decide if your child needs to be seen in person. However, telemedicine cannot perform physical exams, tests, or emergency treatments. It is a helpful first step, especially when in-person visits are difficult, but it does not replace urgent or emergency care when needed.

Preparing for Your Telemedicine Visit

Before your telemedicine appointment, gather important information:

Typical Steps After the Telemedicine Visit

After your visit, you may be advised to:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Note the start time and details of your child's symptoms.
• Have a thermometer ready to check your child's temperature.
• List any medications your child is currently taking.
• Prepare to describe your child's feeding, activity, and breathing.
• Choose a quiet, well-lit place for the telemedicine visit.
• Have a phone or device with a stable internet connection ready.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the home care advice given by your healthcare provider.
• Monitor your child's symptoms and watch for any red flags.
• Use fever reducers or humidifiers as recommended.
• Schedule a follow-up telemedicine or in-person visit if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Seek emergency care immediately if your child shows danger signs.
• Keep communication open with your healthcare provider for questions or concerns.

FAQs

What is RSV and how does it affect children?

RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is a common virus that causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract. It often leads to cold-like symptoms in children but can sometimes cause more serious breathing problems, especially in babies and young children.

Can telemedicine diagnose RSV?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide care but cannot definitively diagnose RSV because it requires physical exams and sometimes lab tests. Providers use symptom information to decide if further in-person evaluation is needed.

How can I help my child feel better at home?

You can help by keeping your child hydrated, using a cool-mist humidifier, managing fever with medication if advised, and ensuring they get plenty of rest. Avoid exposure to smoke or irritants, and monitor their breathing closely.

When should I take my child to the emergency room?

Seek emergency care if your child has trouble breathing (fast or labored breaths, chest pulling in), turns blue around the lips or face, is very sleepy or unresponsive, has a high fever that does not improve, or shows signs of dehydration.

Is RSV contagious?

Yes, RSV spreads easily through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with sick individuals can help prevent spread.

Sources

1. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
3. RSV Infection — Mayo Clinic.
4. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease — American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child has severe symptoms or you are concerned about their health, seek immediate medical attention.