What to know
- RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
- Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.
- CDC recommends immunizations to protect infants, some young children, and older adults.
More Information
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, RSV can cause serious illness in infants, some young children, and older adults.
RSV spreads through coughing, sneezing, contact (like kissing the face of a child who has RSV), and contaminated surfaces. Transmission occurs most often during RSV season, which generally starts in the fall and peaks in the winter in most of the United States.
RSV can be dangerous for infants and older adults
RSV can also cause more severe infections such as bronchiolitis (an inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia (an infection of the lungs). It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age.
Healthy adults and infants infected with RSV do not usually need to be hospitalized. But some people with RSV infection, especially older adults and infants younger than 6 months of age, may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated.
In the most severe cases, a person may require additional oxygen, IV fluids if they can't eat or drink enough, or intubation (have a breathing tube inserted through the mouth and down to the airway) with mechanical ventilation (a machine to help a person breathe). In most of these cases, hospitalization only lasts a few days.
Learn more about people at high risk for severe RSV infection.
