RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. In most healthy children and adults, it causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, RSV can be serious in: **Key Facts:** - **Very common:** Almost all children get RSV by age 2 - **Seasonal:** Peak season is fall through spring (like flu) - **Severity varies:** Mild cold in most, serious in high-risk groups - **New vaccines:** RSV vaccines now available for elderly and pregnant women - **No cure:** Supportive care only; most recover in 1-2 weeks **High-Risk Groups:** - Premature infants - Infants under 6 months - Children under 2 with chronic lung or heart disease - Children with weakened immune systems - Adults 65 and older - Adults with chronic heart or lung disease **Related Conditions:** - [Common cold](/condition/common-cold) — RSV causes cold-like symptoms - [Bronchiolitis](/condition/bronchiolitis) — common RSV complication in infants - [Pneumonia](/condition/pneumonia) — serious RSV complication - [Bronchitis](/condition/bronchitis) — RSV can cause bronchitis - Often confused with [common cold](/condition/common-cold) — see our [RSV vs cold comparison](/compare/rsv-vs-cold) **Important:** In infants, watch for difficulty breathing, poor feeding, and unusual tiredness.

**How RSV Infects:** **1. Viral Entry:** RSV enters through the eyes, nose, or mouth when you breathe in droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze, or touch contaminated surfaces. **2. Upper Respiratory Infection:** The virus first infects the nose and throat, causing typical cold symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and mild cough. **3. Lower Respiratory Spread (In Some Cases):** In high-risk individuals, RSV can spread to the lower airways (bronchioles and lungs), causing: - [Bronchiolitis](/condition/bronchiolitis) — inflammation of small airways - [Pneumonia](/condition/pneumonia) — lung infection **Why Infants Are More Vulnerable:** - Smaller airways that clog more easily - Immature immune systems - Unable to clear mucus effectively - Premature babies have underdeveloped lungs **Why Elderly Are Vulnerable:** - Weakened immune response - Existing lung or heart conditions - Reduced ability to clear secretions - Higher risk of pneumonia complications **Seasonal Pattern:** RSV follows a seasonal pattern similar to [flu](/condition/flu): - Begins in fall (October-November) - Peaks in winter (December-February) - Declines in spring (March-April)

**No Specific Antiviral Treatment:** There's no antiviral medication for RSV. Treatment is supportive care. **Mild Cases (Home Care):** - Rest and fluids - Saline drops and nasal suctioning for infants - Fever reducers (acetaminophen/ibuprofen) - Cool-mist humidifier - Monitor breathing closely **Moderate to Severe Cases (Hospital):** - Supplemental oxygen - IV fluids for dehydration - Nasal suctioning - Breathing support (CPAP, ventilator in severe cases) - Monitoring for complications **What Doesn't Help:** - Antibiotics (RSV is viral, not bacterial) - Over-the-counter cold medicines (not for children under 4) - Steroids (generally not effective for RSV bronchiolitis) - Bronchodilators (limited benefit in most RSV cases) **Prevention:** **For High-Risk Infants:** - Palivizumab (Synagis) monthly injections - Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) single dose **For Older Adults (60+):** - RSV vaccines (Abrysvo or Arexvy) **For Pregnant Women (32-36 weeks):** - Maternal RSV vaccine protects newborn **General Prevention:** - Frequent hand washing - Avoid close contact with sick individuals - Don't touch face with unwashed hands - Clean and disinfect surfaces - Keep infants away from crowds during RSV season