RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV is a respiratory illness that can cause cold-like symptoms or, sometimes, serious illness. RSV stands for respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, the germ that makes you sick with RSV. Almost everyone gets it for the first time before the age of 2. But the protection (immunity) you get from being infected doesn’t last, so you can get it more than once.

RSV is more common than you might think. We most often hear about babies getting severely ill from RSV, but adults and kids of all ages get it. Infants are more likely to get very sick from RSV because their immune systems are still developing. Their smaller airways are also more likely to get inflamed.

You can also get RSV many times throughout your life — sometimes even twice in one year. For adults, it usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. But adults over 65 and people with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for serious illness.

RSV symptoms

• Cough
• Trouble breathing
• Pauses in breathing in young infants
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Not feeling hungry

Symptoms in babies or young kids might look a little different. They might seem fussy or irritable, or they might not want to play as they usually would. Contact your healthcare provider if your child is younger than a year old and has RSV symptoms.

Go to an emergency room if you or your child has severe symptoms. These include:

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Bluish or grayish skin, lips or nails
• Skin pulling in between your child’s ribs when they breathe (retractions)
• Nostrils spreading out (flaring) when breathing
• Short, shallow or fast breathing, or pauses in breathing

RSV causes

A virus — respiratory syncytial virus — causes RSV. It’s not caused by bacteria. RSV spreads through:

• Close contact with someone who has it
• Coughing and sneezing (respiratory droplets)
• Contaminated objects or surfaces (think toys, countertops and phones)

Is RSV contagious?

Yes, RSV is contagious while you have symptoms — usually three to eight days. RSV spreads easily from person to person. It can live on hard surfaces, like tables, for several hours.

You may be able to spread RSV a day or two before you develop symptoms. Babies and people with compromised immune systems may be contagious even after symptoms go away, for up to four weeks.

Complications of RSV

RSV can cause complications that make it hard to breathe. They include:

• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Bronchiolitis
• Worsening of existing conditions like asthma, congestive heart failure or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Respiratory failure
• Hypoxia or low oxygen levels
• Dehydration
• Ear infections

Risk factors

Babies born early (preterm) and kids under 2 years old have smaller airways and are more likely to get severely sick from RSV. You’re also at a higher risk if you:

• Are over age 65
• Have a compromised immune system
• Have heart disease, including congenital heart disease
• Have chronic lung conditions, like asthma

How doctors diagnose RSV

A healthcare provider swabs your nose with a soft-tipped stick to test for RSV. They may get a chest X-ray to look for pneumonia and other complications.

How is RSV treated?

There’s no specific treatment for RSV. If you or your child has severe RSV, you may need to stay in the hospital to recover. There, providers might help you get better with:

• Oxygen therapy to get more oxygen into your body
• Fluids through an IV to prevent dehydration
• Mechanical ventilation (a ventilator) if you can’t breathe on your own

Antibiotics don’t treat RSV since it’s a virus.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Call a pediatrician if your child has RSV symptoms and is under 12 months old. You should also call if your child has any of the following:

• A temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius (if your baby is under 3 months old)
• A fever above 104 degrees F and 40 degrees C (at any age)
• Symptoms that don’t improve or get worse after a week
• Ear drainage or tugging at their ears (possible signs of an ear infection)
• Difficulty breathing or bad coughing fits
• Wheezing or noisy breathing

Adults can often manage RSV symptoms on their own. Call a healthcare provider if you have symptoms and at least one of the following applies to you:

• You’re over age 65
• You have a compromised immune system
• You have a heart or lung condition

Your provider will let you know if you should come in for a checkup and what severe symptoms to look out for.

When should I go to the ER?

Go to an emergency room if you or your child has severe RSV symptoms. These include signs of difficulty breathing — like wheezing, flaring nostrils, chest retractions, or bluish or grayish skin color.

Can RSV be prevented?

There are some things you can do to help protect yourself from RSV. Babies up to 8 months old and some toddlers at high risk can get a monoclonal antibody immunization. This gives them antibodies that can help them fight off an RSV infection.

Pregnant women and adults 75 and older (or 60 and older with certain health conditions) are eligible for RSV vaccines. Talk to your healthcare provider about what’s best for you and your family.

Other steps you can take include:

• Wash your hands. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food.
• Limit exposure to germs. Avoid taking your baby out in large crowds, especially during cold and flu season. Avoid play dates or other close contact with kids who are sick.
• Clean commonly touched surfaces. Disinfect toys, tables, doorknobs and other surfaces that people in your house touch often.

How long does RSV last?

RSV can last a week or two. You might have a lingering cough for a while. Severe cases of RSV may last longer.

Is there anything I can do to feel better?

If you have mild symptoms, you can take care of yourself at home with:

• A cool-mist humidifier to help with breathing
• Nasal saline spray to help relieve cough and congestion
• Suctioning your child’s nose to remove mucus
• Plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

Always check with your provider or your child’s pediatrician before using any medications or giving them to kids.