Doraine, first of all RSV is ubiquitous.  By age 2 or 3 every child has had
it.  In the healthy infant it is a bad cold.  In the premature or BPD
(bronchopulmonary dysplasia) baby it can be a major crisis, requiring
hospitalization.  Subsequently many of these babies have problems with RAD
(Reactive Airway Disease - asthma) for a year or more.  There is some
discussion if RSV is the trigger for RAD or a marker, but if your kid is
wheezing I guess it doesn't really matter which came first - the kid
wheezes now!

2nd There is no RSV vaccine.  Respigam and Synagis are antibodies, must be
given monthly during RSV season (Nov-Apr), at $1000 per dose this is not
being discussed for the average kid with no major problems.  The prime
reason to use Synagis is that it is IM and doesn't interfere with other
immunizations.  Respigam requires a short hosp stay for administration by
IV and does interfere with live virus vaccines like MMR.  Pro respigam -
it seemed to help decrease colds and Otitis in these babies, con - Synagis
didn't have same effect on colds and OM.  I believe a real vaccine for RSV
is years away  and I have reservations about its use in the general
population.

My gut feeling is that being BF helps a lot in how a baby handles RSV.
Unfortunately, the population who need the most protection from RSV are the
least likely to be BF (very early prematures and BPD babies).  The average
healthy full term BF baby probably has a runny nose from RSV and not much
else.

Someone mentioned on the net that the average stay in their area was 4
days.  It varies here in my area, depending on severity.  I tend to begin
nebulizer tx(treatment) at first wheeze so manage to keep most out of the
hospital.  Last winter (which was mild in NJ) was just horrible for RSV
infections.  I hospitalized more babies than the previous 3 year total!
There were days when I thought I'd scream if I heard one more wheezy chest!
 (We are a high volume inner city practice).

Sincerely, Pat, PNP, east coast USA, mid-Atlantic region (my sig is
evolving!)