Symptoms

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as:

• Runny nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Wheezing

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

People at high risk for severe RSV

People at greatest risk for severe illness from RSV include:

• Premature infants
• Infants (especially those 6 months and younger)
• Children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease or congenital (present from birth) heart disease
• Children with weakened immune systems
• Children who have neuromuscular disorders, including those who have difficulty swallowing or clearing mucus secretions

Call your health care provider if your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms.

Adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include:

• Older adults.
• Adults with chronic heart or lung disease.
• Adults with a weakened immune system.
• Adults with certain underlying medical conditions.
• Adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.

Transmission

Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school or childcare centers. They can then transmit the virus to other members of the family.

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, such as kissing the face of a child with RSV
• You touch a surface that has the virus on it and then touch your face before washing your hands

RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. It typically lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time.

People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before showing signs of illness. 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).

Diagnosis

A health care provider may suspect RSV based on medical history, time of year, and a physical exam. 

A swab of the nose to look for viruses may be performed. In severe RSV cases that require hospitalization, additional testing will be needed.

Prevention

You can protect yourself and others from RSV by following a few simple steps:

• Wash hands often
• Keep hands off your face
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect surfaces
• Stay home when sick

Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions. 

RSV Vaccine for Older Adults

There are two RSV vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in adults aged ≥60 years (Arexvy, GSK and Abrysvo, Pfizer). The CDC recommends that adults aged ≥60 years receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine. The decision to vaccinate a patient should be based on a discussion between the health care provider and the patient based on the patient’s risk for severe illness. Even if you have had RSV in the past, receiving the RSV vaccination can help prevent future respiratory disease from RSV.

View more information about RSV vaccination for older adults 60 years of age and over  .

Preventing Severe RSV in children

There are two ways to protect your baby from getting very sick from RSV. One is an RSV vaccine given during pregnancy. The other is an RSV antibody product that provides antibodies to your baby after birth.

1. Getting the RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, if you are 32-36 weeks pregnant during RSV season to maximize protection for babies after birth. This vaccine has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of hospitalization for babies in the first six months after birth. See CDC press release   for more information.
2. Two monoclonal antibody products–nirsevimab (Beyfortus) and palivizumab (Synagis)–can help protect babies and young children from severe disease from an RSV infection. Monoclonal antibodies are not vaccines. They provide an extra layer of defense that helps fight RSV infections and protect children from getting very sick.
   • Nirsevimab is recommended for all infants who are younger than 8 months and born during – or entering – their first RSV season (typically fall through spring). One dose can protect infants for 5 months, the length of an average RSV season. A dose is also recommended for some children between the ages of 8 and 19 months who are at high risk of severe RSV, such as children who are severely immunocompromised, and who are entering their second RSV season.
   • Palivizumab (Synagis) is another RSV monoclonal antibody product available in the United States. Speak with your health care provider for more information.

View more information about RSV immunization for children 19 months and younger  .

Learn more about RSV immunizations from the CDC  .