What is a common symptom of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) in children?

Wheezing is a common symptom of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in children. RSV primarily affects the respiratory tract, and one of the hallmark signs of this infection is the development of wheezing due to bronchial constriction and inflammation. In young children and infants, RSV can lead to bronchiolitis—a condition characterized by inflammation of the small airways that can cause obstruction, resulting in a wheezing sound during breathing.

While coughing is also a typical symptom of RSV, it tends to occur along with wheezing rather than being a primary indicator. Fever can accompany the infection, but it is not as distinctive as wheezing in defining RSV's clinical presentation. Diarrhea is not a common symptom associated with RSV; rather, it is more associated with gastrointestinal infections. Thus, wheezing stands out as a key characteristic marker of RSV in pediatric patients, making it the most accurate choice in this context.