Learn More
See, Play and Learn
- No links available
Resources
For You
Summary
What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus. It usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. But it can cause serious lung infections, especially in infants, older adults, and people with serious medical problems.
How is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) spread?
RSV spreads from person to person through
- The air by coughing and sneezing
- Direct contact, such as kissing the face of a child who has RSV
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
People who have an RSV infection are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days. But sometimes infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for as long as 4 weeks.
Who is at risk for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections?
RSV can affect people of all ages. But it is very common in small children; nearly all children become infected with RSV by age 2. In the United States, RSV infections usually occur during fall, winter, or spring.
Certain people are at higher risk of having a severe RSV infection:
- Infants
- Older adults, especially those age 65 and older
- People with chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease
- People with weakened immune systems
What are the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections?
The symptoms of RSV infection usually start about 4 to 6 days after infection. They include
These symptoms usually appear in stages instead of all at once. In very young infants, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and trouble breathing.
RSV can also cause more severe infections, especially in people at high risk. These infections include bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.
How are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections diagnosed?
To make a diagnosis, the health care provider
- Will take a medical history, including asking about symptoms
- Will do a physical exam
- May do a lab test of nasal fluid or another respiratory specimen to check for RSV. This is usually done for people with severe infection.
- May do tests to check for complications in people with severe infection. The tests may include a chest x-ray and blood and urine tests.
What are the treatments for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections?
There is no specific treatment for RSV infection. Most infections go away on their own in a week or two. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with the fever and pain. However, do not give aspirin to children. And do not give cough medicine to children under four. It is also important to get enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Some people with severe infection may need to be hospitalized. There, they might get oxygen, a breathing tube, or a ventilator.
Can respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections be prevented?
There are no vaccines for RSV. But you may able to reduce your risk of getting or spreading an RSV infection by
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoiding touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoiding close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others if you are sick or they are sick
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you frequently touch
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Then throw away the tissue and wash your hands
- Staying home when sick
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Diagnosis and Tests
-
Nasal Swab
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
-
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Test
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Protecting Your Baby from RSV (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV): Transmission and Prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Treatments and Therapies
-
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Treatment
(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
Specifics
- Bronchiolitis (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Trends and Surveillance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchiolitis
(National Institutes of Health)
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Differential proteomic analysis of children infected with respiratory syncytial virus.
- Article: A post-incorporation study on the use of palivizumab in the Brazilian...
- Article: Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Protein Sequence Variability among Isolates from St....
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections -- see more articles
Children
- Bronchiolitis (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- RSV antibody test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish