What is RSV?

RSV is respiratory virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages. Healthy people usually experience mild, cold-like symptoms and recover in a week or two, However, RSV can be severe, especially in infants and older adults. RSV is the #1 cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants younger than 1 years old in the U.S.

Symptoms of RSV:

  • Runny nose.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Coughing, sneezing and fever.
  • Wheezing.
  • In infants – irritability, breathing difficulties and decreased activity.

Causes of RSV:

RSV is caused by infection of a respiratory virus. Those infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days, which may stretch to weeks for those with weakened immune systems. RSV is spread by:

  • Coughing or sneezing.
  • Direct contact of infectious secretions by a person with RSV.
  • Indirect contact of the virus on an environmental surface, such as a doorknob.

Information provided by:https://www.cdc.gov