Department of Public Health - Acute Communicable Disease Control - Department of Public Health

About 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, especially for infants, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States. RSV circulation in the United States usually starts during fall and peaks in the winter. The timing and severity of RSV circulation can vary from year to year.

Symptoms

In most people, RSV causes a mild, cold-like illness that lasts for 1-2 weeks. Symptoms usually appear 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:

• Runny Nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Wheezing

Symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be:

• Irritability
• Decreased activity
• Breathing difficulties*

*Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or your symptoms are getting worse. 

Home Care for RSV

Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, but you can take the following steps to relieve symptoms: 

• Manage fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to children.
• Drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids).
• Talk to your healthcare provider before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines. Some medicines contain ingredients that are not good for children.

People at Risk for Severe Disease

Occasionally, RSV infection can cause lower respiratory infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. RSV infection can also sometimes lead to exacerbations of chronic health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure. People most at risk of serious illness from RSV infection include: 

• Premature infants
• Young children with congenital (from birth) heart or chronic lung disease
• Young children with weakened immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment
• Children with neuromuscular disorders
• Adults with weakened immune systems
• Older adults, especially those with underlying heart or lung disease

Transmission

People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing symptoms. Some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks. RSV can spread when:

• An infected person coughs or sneezes
• Virus droplets from a cough or sneeze get in your eyes, nose, or mouth
• A person has direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV
• A person touches a surface that has the virus on it and then touches their face before washing their hands. RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. It usually lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for a shorter amount of time.

Prevention

Unfortunately, unlike COVID-19 and Influenza, there isn't yet a vaccine available to protect against RSV.

The following are steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of RSV:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough or sneeze into your elbow not your hand
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing and shaking hands with others
• Stay home from work or school when sick, until symptoms improve
• Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others
• Clean frequently touched surfaces
• Some young babies at highest risk for severe RSV disease may be able to receive a medication called palivizumab (Synagis) that can protect against severe disease from RSV. This medication is given by healthcare providers to premature infants and young children with certain heart and lung conditions as a series of monthly shots during RSV season. Parents or guardians who are concerned about their child's risk for severe RSV infection should talk to their child's healthcare provider.

Data

Individual cases of RSV are not currently reportable to LACDPH. Data tracking RSV trends in Los Angeles County are available in the latest issue of Influenza Watch. 

Fact Sheets

Resources

News and Updates

• CDC Health Advisory: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity, Especially Among Children, Early in the 2022-2023 Fall and Winter (11-4-22)