About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

On this page:
What is RSV?
RSV symptoms
Who is most at risk for getting very sick from RSV?
How is RSV different from a cold?
How is RSV spread?
What can I do to protect myself and others?
When should I contact a health care provider?
Can my child participate in child care or school?
RSV information for child care providers
Vaccine

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, also known as RSV, is a common viral infection. It can cause respiratory illness in people of any age and is one of the most common diseases of early childhood. It can also cause severe illness such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs).

RSV Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Cough
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose or nasal stuffiness
• Sneezing
• Decrease in appetite
• Fever

Symptoms in very young infants (younger than 6 months old):

• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Pauses in breathing (apnea)

Symptoms of more severe disease include:

• Wheezing (indicator of bronchiolitis)
• Coughing up mucus/lung congestion (indicator of pneumonia)
• Breathing rapidly

Who is most at risk for getting very sick from RSV?

Infants, young children, adults with a weak immune system, and adults 60 years and older are most at risk for severe disease.

This includes premature infants, infants under 6 months, children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease, or children with weakened immune symptoms.

Adults at highest risk include those 65 years and older, those with certain chronic diseases (including heart, lung, or immunocompromising conditions), and residents in congregate care settings. Risk for older adults does differ by race and ethnicity. Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native adults who are 60 years and older are at higher risk for hospitalization as well.

How is RSV different from a cold?

Although RSV can cause the same symptoms as a cold such as sneezing or runny nose, it can also cause serious illness, especially in people at high risk.

How is RSV spread?

RSV can spread in the following ways:

• A person with RSV coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets into the air that can enter your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Touching hands, objects, or surfaces that have germs from the nose or mouth of a person with the virus. Items can include tissues, doorknobs, or other items.
• Touching a contaminated item or surface and then touching your face before washing your hands.

It usually takes 4-6 days from the time a person is in contact with the virus until symptoms start. People with RSV are usually contagious for 3-8 days after symptoms start, although it can be longer in some cases.

What can I do to protect myself and others?

• Avoid close contact with ill people such as kissing or shaking hands.
• Avoid sharing drinking cups, straws, water bottles, or eating utensils, especially if you or others have any cold-like symptoms.
• Consider making indoors as an added layer of protection against respiratory illness.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue or your sleeve.
• Dispose of used tissues in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces (this may include doorknobs, handles, and mobile devices).
• Talk to your health care provider about receiving the RSV vaccine if you are 60 years or older, especially if you are at higher risk for severe disease.

When should I contact a health care provider?

You should contact a health care provider if you have:

• Severe symptoms such as pauses in breathing (apnea), wheezing, or lung congestion.
  OR
• Concerns about respiratory symptoms and are at risk for severe disease, such as premature infants, infants younger than 6 months old, people with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease, or people with weakened immune symptoms.

A health care provider will decide if testing is needed.

Can my child participate in child care or school?

• Children with RSV can return to child care settings when their fever is gone (without the use of fever reducing medication) and they are well enough to participate in routine activities. For example, they can eat and drink normally, have no respiratory difficulty, are alert and active, playful, and do not have a lot of nasal secretions).
• RSV and influenza testing SHOULD NOT be used to determine when a child can return to child care.

RSV information for child care providers

For information on RSV infection for child care providers, including when children should be excluded from child care and infection prevention and control measures, please visit the Hennepin County infectious diseases in childcare settings and schools manual. Section 6 contains fact sheets for diseases including RSV.

Vaccines

RSV vaccination is recommended for people age 60 years and older, especially those at higher risk for getting very sick from RSV. Getting vaccinated can prevent serious lung infections, such as pneumonia, caused by RSV. If you are 65 years or older living with a chronic medical condition or living in a congregate care setting, it is important to talk to your health care provider about getting vaccinated. Visit the CDC: Respiratory Syncytial Virus( RSV) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for more information.