Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects the lungs and respiratory tract. It’s so common that most children have been infected by the age of two. While RSV primarily affects young children, it can also infect adults.
In healthy adults and older children, RSV symptoms are usually mild and resemble the common cold. In most cases, self-care is sufficient to ease any discomfort.
However, RSV can lead to severe infections in certain groups, such as infants under 12 months (especially premature babies), older adults, people with heart or lung diseases, or those with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms:
People infected with RSV typically begin showing symptoms 4 to 6 days after exposure. Common symptoms of RSV infection include:
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Reduced appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
These symptoms generally develop gradually, rather than all at once. In very young infants, RSV may only cause irritability, reduced activity, and difficulty breathing.
How it Spreads:
RSV can spread in several ways:A person with RSV coughs or sneezes near you.
- You come into contact with virus droplets from a cough or sneeze through your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- You have direct contact with the virus, such as kissing the face of a child with RSV.
- You touch a surface with the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands.
Prevention:
- Everyone can take steps to help reduce the spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses:
- Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands regularly, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Improve air quality by letting in fresh outdoor air, using air purifiers indoors, or gathering outside.
- Stay home and avoid contact with others when you're feeling sick.
- Consider using masks, practicing physical distancing, and getting tested as additional precautions.