Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially in infants and older adults who are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause respiratory illness in people of all ages, but mainly in children. RSV can cause upper respiratory infections such as the common cold, or more serious lower respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. Babies, young children, adults aged 60 and older, and those with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of serious infections.
What are the symptoms of RSV?
- Fever
- Cough
- Sneeze
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Runny nose
- Loss of appetite
How long do symptoms last?
Symptoms generally appear within 2-8 days of exposure. Healthy infants infected with RSV do not usually need to be hospitalized. In necessary situations, hospitalization usually lasts a few days, with a full recovery taking about one to two weeks.
How do I know if I have RSV?
See your healthcare provider. Your health care provider will review your symptoms and may take a swab of your throat or back of your nose to test at a lab.
RSV is spread through respiratory droplets from close contact with an infected person or direct contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Infection can occur when RSV contacts the eyes, mouth, or nose, and possibly through inhaling droplets from a sneeze or cough. Infection can also occur from direct and indirect contact with nasal or oral secretions from infected persons. Direct contact with the virus can occur, for example, by kissing the face of a person with RSV. RSV outbreaks generally occur during the winter months from November to April.
For mild disease, no specific medicine is necessary other than the treatment of symptoms (pain reliever, fever reducer). Patients with severe disease may require oxygen therapy or hospitalization. Special breathing treatments may be used in the treatment of some patients with severe disease.
It is important to avoid close contact with individuals infected with RSV. Appropriate prevention measures include, but are not limited to:
- Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- Do not share items such as cups, drinking glasses and eating utensils with persons who have RSV.
- Excluding children from schools and child care if they have a fever or other respiratory symptoms, and limit contact with other children.
- Promptly throwing away any used tissues after coughing or sneezing.
Vaccination can prevent illness caused by RSV and is approved for the following groups:
- Pregnant individuals: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends one dose of maternal RSV vaccine (RSVpreF) prior to or during RSV season, during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, to prevent RSV illness in infants. This vaccine provides infants with up to six months of protection after birth but decreases over time.
- Infants: The CDC recommends that infants eight months of age or younger receive one dose of nirsevimab prior to or during their first RSV season, if they are not protected by maternal vaccine. The drug palivizumab may be administered to high-risk infants in place of nirsevimab. It is important to note that palivizumab cannot prevent infection, but may be able to prevent severe RSV illness in certain infants and young children. Please consult your pediatrician to determine what option is right for your child.
- Older adults (60+): The CDC recommends a single vaccine dose prior to RSV season for adults aged 60 and older.
The RSV vaccine may be administered September through January for most of the United States and may be given at the same time as other vaccines. For more information, discuss RSV vaccination with your healthcare provider.
Page last reviewed/updated: August 2024