Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrevent SpreadingPrevention in KidsSevere RSVRSV VaccinePrevention in BabiesTime Being ContagiousNext in RSV GuideWhat Is RSV?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Prevent Spreading
Prevention in Kids
Severe RSV
RSV Vaccine
Prevention in Babies
Time Being Contagious
Next in RSV Guide
Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)is a common, highly contagious illness that affects the nose, throat, and lungs.Although RSV usually causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, the infection can cause severe respiratory illness in infants, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
In the United States, RSV season begins in the fall and peaks in the winter.While there is no cure for RSV, there are ways to lower your risk of infection. This article explores practical steps to prevent RSV, including at-home measures, vaccinations, and medications to safeguard yourself and your loved ones against RSV.
Hailshadow / Getty Images
How to Prevent RSV From Spreading
Can I Prevent RSV in My Child?
Who’s More Likely to Develop Severe RSV?
People of all agescan become infected with RSV. While the virus usually causes mild symptoms that resolve within a week or two, some groups are at higher risk of developing severe RSV infections, including:
Infants have underdeveloped immune systems and smaller airways more prone to swelling and congestion. This makes babies more susceptible to severe RSV complications, such asbronchiolitis(inflammation of the airways) andpneumonia(lung infection).
For older adults, age-related lung and respiratory function changes coupled with a slower immune response increase the risk of severe respiratory infections. RSV infections may worsen symptoms of underlying health conditions in older adults, such asasthma,heart failure, orchronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).
Is There an RSV Vaccine?
The vaccines, given in a single dose, stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to protect against severe RSV infections and complications (e.g., pneumonia).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people ages 75 and older receive the one-time shot. Adults 60 and older at risk of a severe infection should also receive the vaccine.
The same vaccines are recommended for pregnant people to protect their infants after birth. The shot is given between weeks 32 and 36 of pregnancy if this falls between September and January.
Research suggests the vaccine may pass maternal RSV antibodies onto the fetus to protect newborns from the virus for the first six months of life.
The FDA has approved three RSV vaccines for preventing LRTD: Arexvy for those aged 50 and older, and Abrysvo and mResvia for those aged 60 and older. Abrysvo is also approved for individuals aged 18 to 59 at increased risk. Arexvy and Abrysvo may increase the risk of developingGuillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)after the vaccine has been administered.
How to Prevent RSV in Babies, Including Infants
The CDC recommends one dose for infants eight months and younger born in or during their first RSV season and one dose for those between 8 and 19 months with an increased risk of severe RSV infection.
While generally safe, the drug may cause mild side effects such as rash or irritation at the injection site.
While Beyfortus is a powerful tool in preventing RSV in infants, parents and caregivers should continue implementing other preventive measures, including frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and maintaining a clean environment.
For high-risk babies and young children under 24 months of age vulnerable to severe RSV infections, including those born prematurely or with heart or lung diseases, Synagis (palivizumab) is another antibody option.
Synagis is administered as a monthly injection during RSV season. It helps boost the immune system to stop or slow the spread of RSV in the body, but it cannot prevent infection and is not used to treat symptoms once a child has RSV. While generally well-tolerated, palivizumab may cause side effects such as fever, rash, pain, and swelling at the injection site.
How Long Am I Contagious With RSV?
People with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days and may be contagious for a day or two before symptoms develop. Infants and those with weakened immune systems may be contagious for up to four weeks, long after symptoms resolve.
After exposure to RSV, there is an incubation period of approximately four to six days before symptoms develop. During this time, the virus replicates in the body, though you may have no signs of illness. When symptoms develop, they usually last between one and two weeks, with peak symptoms occurring in the first few days.
While symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and decreased appetite may improve after the first week, coughing and congestion can persist for weeks. To prevent the spread of RSV when you’re sick, you can:
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious respiratory illness that usually causes mild,cold-like symptoms. Infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are vulnerable to more severe RSV infections that may require hospitalization. You can use at-home measures to prevent RSV. Recent research advancements have introduced RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies that protect specific populations from serious illnesses.
16 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 Academy of Pediatrics.RSV: when it’s more than just a cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).American Lung Association.Learn about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine VIS.March of Dimes.RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in infants and young children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in older adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccines for older adults.Food and Drug Administration.Commissioner O of the. Fda requires guillain-barré syndrome (Gbs) warning in the prescribing information for rsv vaccines abrysvo and arexvy: fda safety communication.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug to prevent RSV in babies and toddlers.MedlinePlus.Palivizumab injection.Yale Medicine.RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and care of RSV.
16 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 Academy of Pediatrics.RSV: when it’s more than just a cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).American Lung Association.Learn about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine VIS.March of Dimes.RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in infants and young children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in older adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccines for older adults.Food and Drug Administration.Commissioner O of the. Fda requires guillain-barré syndrome (Gbs) warning in the prescribing information for rsv vaccines abrysvo and arexvy: fda safety communication.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug to prevent RSV in babies and toddlers.MedlinePlus.Palivizumab injection.Yale Medicine.RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and care of RSV.
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 Academy of Pediatrics.RSV: when it’s more than just a cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).American Lung Association.Learn about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine VIS.March of Dimes.RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in infants and young children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in older adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccines for older adults.Food and Drug Administration.Commissioner O of the. Fda requires guillain-barré syndrome (Gbs) warning in the prescribing information for rsv vaccines abrysvo and arexvy: fda safety communication.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug to prevent RSV in babies and toddlers.MedlinePlus.Palivizumab injection.Yale Medicine.RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and care of RSV.
American Academy of Pediatrics.RSV: when it’s more than just a cold.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of RSV.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
American Lung Association.Learn about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How RSV spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine VIS.
March of Dimes.RSV.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in infants and young children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in older adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccines for older adults.
Food and Drug Administration.Commissioner O of the. Fda requires guillain-barré syndrome (Gbs) warning in the prescribing information for rsv vaccines abrysvo and arexvy: fda safety communication.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug to prevent RSV in babies and toddlers.
MedlinePlus.Palivizumab injection.
Yale Medicine.RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and care of RSV.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
