Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Page last updated 9/19/2024.

Respiratory Syncytial Infection, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States. RSV can also make chronic health problems worse.

See below, or click the following links, to learn more.

Prevention
Transmission (Spread)
Symptoms
Treatment
Resources
Educational Materials

Prevention

Vaccines are available to protect older adults from getting very sick from RSV. Vaccines for pregnant people, or monoclonal antibody products, are available to protect infants and young children from getting very sick from RSV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends either maternal RSV vaccination or infant immunization with monoclonal antibodies. Most infants will not need both.

Infants and Young Children
- 1 dose of nirsevimab for all infants younger than 8 months of age who were born shortly before, or are entering, their first RSV season (typically fall through spring).
- 1 dose of nirsevimab for infants and children 8-19 months old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season.
- A different monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, is limited to children under 24 months of age with certain conditions that place them at high risk for severe RSV disease. It must be given once a month during RSV season.
Pregnant People
- 1 dose of maternal RSV vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnant, administered September through January.
- RSV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant people who received it during a prior pregnancy.
Adults Aged 60 Years and Older
- 1 dose of the RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and older and adults ages 60-74 at increased risk from getting very sick from RSV.
- RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning older adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season.
  - That means if you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one at this time.

Learn more about RSV Immunizations.

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Transmission (Spread)

RSV can spread when:

An infected person coughs or sneezes.
You get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
You have direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV.
You touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands.

People infected with RSV usually become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. They may show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected and are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days. However, some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.

Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school or childcare centers.

Risk Factors

People are typically infected with RSV for the first time as an infant or toddler. Nearly all children are infected before their second birthday. Most people recover in a week or two, however RSV can cause severe illness in some people such as young children and older adults.

People at highest risk for severe RSV disease include:

Premature infants.
Young children with congenital (from birth) heart or chronic lung disease.
Young children with compromised (weakened) immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment.
Children with neuromuscular disorders.
Adults with compromised immune systems.
Older adults, especially those with underlying heart or lung disease.

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Symptoms

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected.

Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:

Runny nose
Decrease in appetite
Coughing
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing

These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.

If you have cold-like symptoms, you should:

Stay home if you are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your shirt sleeve, not your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid close contact with others, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils.
Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.

To learn about other prevention methods against RSV, please visit the Respiratory Viruses Prevention webpage.

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Treatment

Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. While there is no antiviral treatment specific for RSV, antiviral medications can be used in severe high-risk cases.

Take steps to relieve symptoms by:

Managing fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to children.
Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids).
Talking to your healthcare provider before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines. Some medicines contain ingredients that are not good for children.

However, some people with RSV infection, especially older adults and infants younger than 6 months of age, may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated.

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