What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, is a type of virus that can cause infections in our nose, throat, and lungs. Other infections like the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19, are also caused by viruses.
When are RSV infections most common?
RSV infections can happen year-round, but they tend to be more common during the winter months. In Canada, this period tends to be from the fall to the early spring. Most cases tend to occur between December to March.
What are the symptoms of RSV?
Similar to other airway infections, RSV symptoms often include mild symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, fever, tiredness, and decreased appetite. Usually, these symptoms will go away on their own after a few days.
In some cases, the infection can progress to the lungs and cause more serious symptoms like cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Rarely, RSV can lead to hospitalization from pneumonia and heart problems.
Not everyone will experience the same symptoms. Infants might not show some of the usual symptoms and instead are more likely to be irritable or fussy, tired, and experience shortness of breath. Some adults might not have any symptoms at all.
How do you get RSV?
Like other airway infections, it can spread from one person to another. This can happen when you touch an infected surface or are in close contact with someone who has RSV and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, without washing your hands first. The virus can live on hard surfaces like tables for many hours and on soft surfaces, like tissues and your hands, for shorter periods.
If you or someone you know has RSV, keep in mind that it can be contagious from anywhere between 3 to 8 days. For infants and people with weakened immune systems, this can be as long as 4 weeks or more.
Who gets RSV?
While anyone can get RSV, it tends to be most serious in children and older adults. In infants and younger children, RSV can often lead to lung infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Older adults usually have weaker immune systems because of the aging process, putting them at higher risk of hospitalization. Medical conditions, like diabetes and asthma, also increase your odds of having a more serious RSV infection.
Can I get tested to see if I have RSV?
While there are laboratory tests that can check for RSV, most cases are diagnosed based on your symptoms and the time of the year.
What should I do if I have RSV?
Most infections will go away on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. You can ask your pharmacist for suggestions on over-the-counter medications for symptom relief.
If you have RSV symptoms, you can do the following to reduce the risk of spreading it to others:
- Wearing a mask or respirator in public areas
- Staying at home when possible
- Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow
- Washing your hands often
- Opening windows or doors to air out indoor spaces
- Avoid people who are at risk of severe RSV infections, like young children or older adults
What can I do to prevent RSV?
Many protective measures that are effective against other viral infections can help prevent RSV. These include:
- Get into a habit of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, like doorknobs or tables
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth
- Limit close contact with people who have RSV or other infections
Depending on your age or health conditions, you can also speak to your health care provider about vaccines that can help protect you from RSV.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/RSV-What-You-Should-Know
