9 things to know about RSV

Sarah Wilson
·3 min read
4

Cases of RSV are ticking up across the country, increasing hospitalizations at children’s hospitals.

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Here are nine things you need to know about the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

1. Respiratory syncytial virus, or 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 for infants and older adults.

RSV: What you need to know about respiratory syncytial virus

2. 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.

3. People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six 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.

Read: CDC reports early increases in seasonal flu activity, surge in RSV cases

4. Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.

5. Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, though researchers are working to develop vaccines and antivirals (medicines that fight viruses).

6. 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 touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands.

  • You have direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV.

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7. People of any age can get another RSV infection, but infections later in life are generally less severe. People at the highest risk for severe 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.

  • Adults with compromised immune systems.

  • Older adults, especially those with underlying heart or lung disease.

8. There are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of RSV. Specifically, if you have cold-like symptoms you should

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others.

  • Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.

9. One to two out of every 100 children younger than 6 months of age with RSV infection may need to be hospitalized. Those who are hospitalized may require oxygen, intubation, and/or mechanical ventilation (help with breathing). Most improve with this type of supportive care and are discharged in a few days.

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