Do you accept Florida Medicaid?

Yes. Lake Worth Pediatrics accepts most Florida Medicaid plans and many major insurance providers. Visit our Insurance & Billing page for full coverage details.

Do you offer same-day sick visits in Palm Springs?

Yes. We provide same-day pediatric sick visits in Palm Springs to ensure your child receives timely medical care when needed.

What areas do you serve?

We serve families in Palm Springs, Lake Worth, Greenacres, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, and surrounding Palm Beach County communities.

What languages do you speak?

Our team provides care in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole so every family feels confident and fully understood.

RSV In Babies & Children: A Parent's Guide

What is RSV?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms. It can affect people of all ages but is most serious in infants and young children, especially those under 1 year old.

Common Symptoms of RSV

Mild Cases (Cold-like symptoms):

Runny nose
Cough
Sneezing
Fever (usually low-grade)
Decreased appetite
Fussiness or difficulty sleeping

Severe Cases (Worsening Breathing Issues):

Fast, labored breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute in infants)
Wheezing or grunting sounds
Flaring nostrils or chest pulling in with each breath (retractions)
Bluish lips or fingertips (sign of low oxygen)
Poor feeding and lethargy
As a family-owned pediatric practice in Palm Springs, Lake Worth Pediatrics provides timely evaluation and treatment for RSV and other respiratory illnesses.

How Does RSV Spread?

Through coughs, sneezes, and touching contaminated surfaces.
RSV is highly contagious, especially in daycare or school settings.
It can live on surfaces (like toys and doorknobs) for several hours.

Caring for RSV at Home

For mild cases, RSV is managed with supportive care:

Keep the nose clear – Use saline drops and a suction bulb for infants.
Use a cool-mist humidifier – Helps loosen mucus.
Steam therapy – Sit in a steamy bathroom to ease congestion.
Encourage fluids – Breast milk, formula, or small sips of water (if over 6 months).
Manage fever – Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, if over 6 months) per dosage charts. You can view our complete Pediatric Medication Dosage Chart here for safe dosing guidelines.

When to Call the Pediatrician

Call if your child has:

Fast breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute in infants)
Wheezing or noisy breathing
Fever over 100.4°F (38°C) in babies under 3 months
Dehydration signs (no wet diapers for 8+ hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
Severe cough that interferes with sleep or eating

Go to the ER immediately if:

Your baby stops breathing or turns blue.
Severe difficulty breathing (chest retractions, grunting, nostril flaring).
Lethargy (extreme drowsiness, difficult to wake).

How Long Does RSV Last?

RSV usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Symptoms peak around day 3-5 and then improve. However, a lingering cough can last up to 4 weeks.

How to Prevent RSV

Wash hands frequently (especially before touching infants).
Avoid close contact with sick individuals.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and toys.
Limit exposure to crowds for babies under 6 months.
Consider RSV immunization (Beyfortus) for high-risk infants (premature babies, heart/lung disease, weakened immune systems).

Final Thoughts

Most cases of RSV are mild, but young babies and high-risk children can develop serious complications like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. If you’re ever concerned, call your pediatrician! For more tips on managing childhood illnesses, visit our Parent Resources section.