Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Test Your Knowledge

RSV is very common in children under 2 years old. In the U.S., it’s the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) in kids under 1 year old. About 58,000 children under 5 years old are hospitalized with RSV each year.

Your risk for serious complications from RSV goes up after age 65. But adults with chronic heart or lung conditions, or weakened immune systems are also at high risk of a serious RSV infection, no matter what their age.

Most people are contagious during the 3- to 7-day period they have symptoms. Sometimes infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for as long as 4 weeks

Your immune system builds up an immunity for some viruses, but not RSV. You can get RSV multiple times, even within one RSV season.

Since RSV is a virus, antibiotics (which kill bacteria) can’t treat it.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. RSV is the most common cause of pneumonia in babies under 1 year old.

Just like the flu, RSV spikes at certain times of year. Cases in the U.S. increase starting in the late fall and last through the early spring.

There aren’t any medications that cure RSV, but you can help prevent serious infection or getting it altogether by washing your hands often, not smoking, covering coughs and sneezes, and not sharing cups and cutlery with others.

RSV can enter your body through your nose, eyes, or mouth when you’re in close contact with someone who has it and they cough or sneeze. The virus can also live on hard surfaces for hours. If you touch a contaminated door handle or countertop and then touch your face, you can also get it.

So far, experts have not found a vaccine to prevent RSV, but scientists are working to develop one.