Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAt-Home TreatmentWhen to See a ProviderEmergency TreatmentHow Long Does RSV Last?PreventionNext in RSV GuideHow to Prevent RSV in Adults and Children
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
At-Home Treatment
When to See a Provider
Emergency Treatment
How Long Does RSV Last?
Prevention
Next in RSV Guide
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)is a common, contagious, respiratory infection that can affect people of all ages. It can causesymptoms of a typical cold. But, in some situations, it may lead to a lung infection.
Additionally, preventive treatments and vaccination can help lower your chances of having a severe infection if you are at risk. This article will discuss treating RSV at home, when to contact a healthcare provider or emergency healthcare, how long it lasts, and how to prevent transmitting RSV.
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RSV Treatment at Home
Usually, RSV is managed with at-home care, which can include over-the-counter (OTC) medications. It’s important to get enough rest while you are recovering from an RSV infection.
Things to do when you have an RSV infection include:
How RSV Is Diagnosed
How to Tell If a Medical Visit Is Needed
Often, with RSV, you can manage your illness on your own at home with the advice of your healthcare provider. Sometimes it is best to see a healthcare provider in person.
If you are feeling very sick, have unusual symptoms, or if you’re not improving as expected, call a healthcare provider to see if you need to make an in-person appointment. You might have a severe RSV infection, or you could have another illness that requires different treatment.
Concerning SymptomsSee a healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms in yourself or your child:A persistent high fever of 103 degrees F or higherDizziness or light-headednessA rashCoughing up bloodShortness of breathFeel extremely sleepy or sluggishDifficulty responding or interactingConfusionTremors or seizures
Concerning Symptoms
See a healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms in yourself or your child:A persistent high fever of 103 degrees F or higherDizziness or light-headednessA rashCoughing up bloodShortness of breathFeel extremely sleepy or sluggishDifficulty responding or interactingConfusionTremors or seizures
See a healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms in yourself or your child:
Underlying Medical Issues
Check with your healthcare provider as soon as you start to feel sick if you take immune-suppressing medication, or have an immune disorder such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), kidney disease, or any other condition that makes you susceptible to severe illness.
Underlying medical issues can often cause otherwise mild infections such as RSV to progress rapidly, potentially causing severe and life-threatening health problems.
RSV can lead to exacerbation of these existing conditions:
High Risk Groups and RSV
Breathing Trouble
Breathing problems are a sign of severe illness or infection. If you are having trouble catching your breath, are breathing rapidly, or are feeling pain when breathing, it’s important that you get medical attention.
You may need some diagnostic tests, such as:
Some treatments for respiratory problems includeoxygen supplementationormechanical respiratory supportuntil the problem resolves.
Dehydration
Illness can often result indehydration. Sometimes having an infection can lower your appetite. If you aren’t drinking enough fluids or eating enough fruits and vegetables, you can get dehydrated.
Viral infections can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. When this happens, dehydration can develop very quickly. Severe dehydration may cause light-headedness, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
Treatment for severe dehydration can require intravenous (IV, within a vein) fluids.Typically, dehydration can be treated within a day or two. As you regain your appetite, you will naturally be able to consume enough fluids.
Pain
Pain is often a sign of a severe health complication. If you have pain associated with RSV, this could be an indication of anear infectionor a lung infection, depending on where the pain is located.
Make sure you tell your healthcare provider about any pain that you or your child is experiencing. The evaluation and treatment will be planned according to the location and type of your pain.
When to Seek Emergency Care
For severe infections, a hospital stay may be required. During a hospital stay, you could expect to get medication to treat a fever, pain medication, oxygen supplementation, and IV fluids. While you’re in the hospital, you can expect to be monitored for complications, such as low oxygen or electrolyte changes.
Get prompt medical attention if you or your child experiences any of the following:
Typically, RSV should last for no longer than a few weeks. Generally, the phase of feeling very sick only lasts for a few days. During this time, it is important to get rest, stay comfortable, and get advice from your healthcare provider.
If your condition seems to be worsening, if you have other symptoms, or if it is lasting for longer—then make sure you get medical attention.
High RiskIf there’s anyone who could be at risk of having a severe infection due to a weak immune system, it’s important that you avoid exposing them to the virus while you are still contagious. People who are at high risk include infants, young children, adults over age 60, and anyone who has a weak immune system.
High Risk
If there’s anyone who could be at risk of having a severe infection due to a weak immune system, it’s important that you avoid exposing them to the virus while you are still contagious. People who are at high risk include infants, young children, adults over age 60, and anyone who has a weak immune system.
How to Prevent Spreading RSV
RSV can be transmittedin these ways:
You can be contagious starting a few days before you begin to have symptoms and for three to eight days after symptoms start.
When you have symptoms of RSV or other respiratory infections, follow these precautions:
Medical Prevention
A vaccine and medical treatments are available to help protect against RSV. These preventive treatments are recommended for some populations.
RSV vaccineis recommended for all adults age 75 and older. It’s also advised for those 60 and older who have certain underlying medical conditions. Pregnant people can also receive the vaccine to protect their infants after birth.
An antibody injection called Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is also recommended to help protect babies and young children from severe RSV complications. It’s recommended for infants under 8 months old during their first RSV season, and for older infants with risk factors for a severe infection.
2 New Shots Will Protect Infants from RSV this Fall
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is acommon and contagious respiratory infectionthat attacks people of all ages. Usually, it only lasts for a few days or up to a few weeks and resolves on its own without causing any serious health problems.
For some people, especially those who have a weakened immune system, the infection can become severe. Infants and people over 60 are at higher risk.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.RSV treatment and prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.Strachan SR, Morris LF.Management of severe dehydration.J Intensive Care Soc. 2017;18(3):251-255. doi:10.1177/1751143717693859Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in Infants and Young Children.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.RSV treatment and prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.Strachan SR, Morris LF.Management of severe dehydration.J Intensive Care Soc. 2017;18(3):251-255. doi:10.1177/1751143717693859Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in Infants and Young Children.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Lung Association.RSV treatment and prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.Strachan SR, Morris LF.Management of severe dehydration.J Intensive Care Soc. 2017;18(3):251-255. doi:10.1177/1751143717693859Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in Infants and Young Children.
American Lung Association.RSV treatment and prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.
Strachan SR, Morris LF.Management of severe dehydration.J Intensive Care Soc. 2017;18(3):251-255. doi:10.1177/1751143717693859
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in Infants and Young Children.
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