Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. If you are age 60 or older, a vaccine is available to protect you from severe RSV. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if it’s right for you. If you are pregnant, you can get an RSV vaccine between 32–36 weeks of pregnancy to protect your infant after birth, or a preventive antibody can be given to your baby after birth.
Preventive options help protect certain groups at high risk of severe RSV.
Learn more about all three of these respiratory viruses, who is most at risk, and how they are affecting your state right now. You can use some of the same strategies to protect yourself from all three viruses.
RSV can be dangerous for some infants and young children. Preventive options can protect babies and young children from severe RSV disease
RSV infections can be dangerous for older adults. RSV vaccine can help protect adults ages 60 and older from RSV.
Clinical features, RSV management, diagnosis, laboratory testing, and prophylaxis for patients at high risk for severe illness
Research, surveillance, and seasonal trends for RSV activity, and information about a program to prevent RSV among Alaska Native persons