Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

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RSV immunization is available now for high-risk residents, including all adults aged 75 and older. Eligible residents should get their RSV immunization as early as possible to get protection before RSV activity begins in the fall.

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. It usually starts spreading in the fall and peaks in the winter months. RSV infection can happen at any age; however, it can be more serious in young children and older adults. It can cause cold-like symptoms but can lead to more serious complications including bronchiolitis, a chest infection that can make infants and toddlers very sick.

 

Like the flu and COVID-19, RSV is typically spread through respiratory droplets when people who are sick with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk near people who are within two meters. Less commonly, a person may also get RSV when they touch a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touch their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

People infected with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of being sick. 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 four weeks.

RSV symptoms usually happen within two to eight days after getting infected and include:

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

Very young infants may only experience irritability, decreased activity, decreased appetite or feeding and breathing problems.

Testing

Symptoms of RSV are not specific and can overlap with other respiratory infections. People admitted to the hospital may have a nose swab done to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Most people who get RSV recover on their own. However, RSV can cause severe illness in some people, and medical attention and treatment may be needed. Antiviral medication is not routinely recommended to fight infection.

You may manage symptoms by taking the following steps:

  • Reduce fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. (Do not give ibuprofen to infants under six months old without first speaking to a health care provider. Do not give aspirin to children.)
  • Drink enough fluids. It is important for people with RSV to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids). If your baby is having trouble drinking, try clearing nasal congestion with a bulb syringe or saline (salt water) nose drops.
  • Talk to your health care provider before giving your child cold medicines. Some medicines contain ingredients that are not good for children.

Seeking Medical Care

If you have questions about your illness and you don’t start to feel better after a few days or your symptoms get worse, call you health care provider, or 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). If your symptoms are severe, seek immediate medical attention. 

Getting an RSV immunization is the best way to prevent RSV. Eligible residents should get their RSV dose as early as possible to get protection before RSV activity begins in the fall.

High-risk adults over the age of 60, including all adults aged 75 and older, should get an RSV vaccination from their health care provider. High-risk infants and children, or pregnant individuals, should talk to their health care provider about getting an RSV dose for their best protection.

While vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and others, there are more steps we can all take to reduce virus spread. Using layers of protection will help protect you, loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community, such as young children and the elderly.