RSV: Not your ordinary flu

What is RSV?¹

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract. It’s very common, and most children will have been infected by the age of two.

Typical symptoms resemble a common cold:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Dry cough
• Low-grade fever
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Sore throat

For many, RSV clears up in a week or two. However, in more severe cases, it can progress to pneumonia or bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs).

Signs of severe infection include:

• High fever
• Severe cough
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Bluish skin or lips from lack of oxygen

Most children and adults recover without complications, but RSV can sometimes become serious—even life-threatening—and may require hospitalization

Who is at Risk?

Anyone can get RSV, but some groups are more vulnerable than others.

Children^2,3

· Infants, especially babies under six months old

· Children with weakened immune systems or neuromuscular disorders

· Kids younger than two years old with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease

RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants. In fact, most children are infected by the age of two,⁶ and about 75% of RSV-related hospitalizations occur during the first six months of life.⁸

Adults^2,4

· Adults with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or congestive heart failure

· People with weakened immune systems

· Older adults (especially over age 60) with underlying health conditions

In older adults, RSV is sometimes mistaken for a mild cold, but it can lead to pneumonia or worsen existing health problems, occasionally with serious outcomes.^9,10

Vaccination

Good hygiene—like frequent handwashing, wearing a mask, and staying away from those who are sick11—helps lower the risk of spreading RSV. But one of the best ways to protect yourself and loved ones is through vaccination.

Talk to your healthcare provider about whether the RSV vaccine is right for you or your family.

Citations:

1. Mayo Clinic. Respiratory Synctial Virus. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353098. Accessed September 20, 2025
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at High Risk for Severe RSV Infection. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/index.html Accessed August 24, 2023.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in Infants and Young Children. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html Accessed August 24, 2023.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in Older Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html Accessed August 24, 2023.
5. Mayo Clinic. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353098
6. Glezen WP, Taber LH, Frank AL, Kasel JA. Risk of primary infection and reinfection with respiratory syncytial virus. Am J Dis Child. 1986;140(6):543-546. doi:10.1001/ archpedi.1986.021402000530265.
7. Hall CB, Weinberg GA, Blumkin AK, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus-associated hospitalizations among children less than 24 months of age. Pediatrics. 2013;132(2):e341-e348. doi:10.1542/ peds.2013-0303.
8. Parikh RC, McLaurin KK, Margulis AV, et al. Chronologic Age at Hospitalization for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Among Preterm and Term Infants in the United States. Infect Dis Ther. 2017;6(4):477-486. doi:10.1007/s40121-017-0167-98.
9. Kwon YS, Park SH, Kim MA, et al. Risk of mortality associated with respiratory syncytial virus and influenza infection in adults. BMC Infect Dis. 2017;17(1):785. Published 2017 Dec 20. doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2897-4.
10. Atamna A, Babich T, Froimovici D, et al. Morbidity and mortality of respiratory syncytial virus infection in hospitalized adults: Comparison with seasonal influenza. Int J Infect Dis. 2021;103:489- 493. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.11.185.
11. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. How RSV Spreads. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/causes/index.html. Accessed September 20, 2025