Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarly SymptomsSymptoms in KidsSevere SymptomsComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentAt-Home CareWhen to See a ProviderNext in RSV GuideWhat Causes RSV in Adults and Children?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Early Symptoms
Symptoms in Kids
Severe Symptoms
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
At-Home Care
When to See a Provider
Next in RSV Guide
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a viral infection that causes symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose, fever, and cough. Usually, this common infection resolves on its own without causing any serious consequences.
However, people who have a weakened immune system—such as young babies, older adults, or people who take immunosuppressants—can have a severe RSV infection.
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What Are the First Signs of RSV?
Typically, RSV causes symptoms that may last several days and up to a few weeks.The condition is highly contagious. It can be transmitted to children and adults who have been around other people with RSV infection.
Because RSV is contagious before it becomes symptomatic, you may not know you have been exposed to this common virus until you develop symptoms.
Early symptoms of RSV infection in children and adults include:
You may have one or two days of noticeable symptoms. Some people may experience a few lingering symptoms for longer than that.
RSV Symptoms in Kids
Kids can have the same symptoms as adults, but very young children cannot usually express their discomfort or describe their symptoms. Children can also show other signs of RSV that parents may notice.
Signs to look out for in babies and children include:
If your child has any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider.
Symptoms in Severe Cases
In general, RSV is anupper respiratory tract infection. This means that it affects the sinuses, nasal passages and throat without spreading down into the lungs.
While it’s not common, RSV can cause a lower respiratory tract infection involving the lungs, or the infection may spread to other areas of the body beyond the respiratory tract. If this happens, you may need medical care in the hospital.
Less common symptoms of RSV may include:
If you or your child is having symptoms that are not typical, or if symptoms are causing substantial concern or discomfort, it is important that you call a healthcare provider for advice.
RSV Can Cause More Serious Health Problems
When RSV leads to medical complications, it can be life-threatening.This can happen if the infection spreads beyond the upper respiratory tract.
Complications of RSV can include:
Complications of RSV infection are rare. You could be at a higher risk of complications if you have an underlying health problem, such as immune deficiency due to medication, cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chronic liver disease, or another immune disorder.Additionally, very young babies and older adults could be at a higher risk of complications.
RSV can also worsen certain chronic medical conditions, includingasthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), andcongestive heart failure.
High Risk of RSV ComplicationsIt’s important to call your healthcare provider if your child has symptoms of a cold and is younger than 1 year of age, has a heart or lung condition, or has a neuromuscular condition.Adults who have symptoms of a cold and who have a weak immune system or a chronic medical condition should contact their healthcare provider.
High Risk of RSV Complications
It’s important to call your healthcare provider if your child has symptoms of a cold and is younger than 1 year of age, has a heart or lung condition, or has a neuromuscular condition.Adults who have symptoms of a cold and who have a weak immune system or a chronic medical condition should contact their healthcare provider.
It’s important to call your healthcare provider if your child has symptoms of a cold and is younger than 1 year of age, has a heart or lung condition, or has a neuromuscular condition.
Adults who have symptoms of a cold and who have a weak immune system or a chronic medical condition should contact their healthcare provider.
How Do You Know It’s RSV?
Most of the time,RSV is diagnosed based on symptoms. In these cases, your healthcare provider might listen to your description of your symptoms and do a physical examination. While they might suggest that you could have RSV, the exact virus can’t be verified without a laboratory test.
Because there isn’t a specific treatment for the virus and the infection usually resolves on its own, it’s usually not necessary to identify the virus. Sometimes laboratory testing is done to identify the virus. This can include a viral culture, antigen test, or real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).
How RSV Is Treated?
In general,treatment for RSVis symptomatic. This means that the symptoms are managed, and there is no treatment that can kill the virus or shorten the duration of the illness.
If complications occur, then medical management in a hospital is necessary. Hospital treatment may include:
You would need close medical monitoring while being treated in the hospital, and the results can guide your healthcare providers in adjusting your care. This includes having your blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate,oxygen saturation, and blood tests checked.
How to Relieve RSV Symptoms at Home
If you or your child has a mild case of RSV, you will not need medical treatment. It can be a good idea to call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns, but you will likely be able to manage your symptoms at home.
It’s important to take time to rest. This means staying home from work or school, taking it easy, and sleeping if you need to. Your infection should clear up within a few days, or up to two weeks.
Things you can do at home for comfort as you recover:
Fever: What’s Considered Low, High, and Possibly Serious?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s important to know when you should seek medical care. If you have any concerns about your symptoms or your child’s symptoms, you should call your healthcare provider. They will advise you regarding treatment, making an appointment, or getting emergency care.
Certain symptoms indicate a medical emergency. Get prompt medical attention if you or your child experiences any of the following:
These symptoms are indicative of a severe, dangerous infection. If you have any of these symptoms, you will need to have prompt medical evaluation and treatment. You should call 911 or go to the nearest urgent care center or emergency room.
Summary
RSV is a common viral respiratory infection that causes symptoms of a typical cold. You can expect symptoms to get better a few days after they begin. Sometimes, mild, lingering symptoms can last up to a few weeks.
Very young babies, older adults, or people with weak immune systems are at a high risk of complications. Symptoms of complications can include a stiff neck, fever, coughing up blood, or diminished responsiveness.
Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms seem to be getting worse or lingering for longer than expected. If you develop shortness of breath or signs of serious complications, getting prompt medical attention is important.
6 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.Zheng Z.Challenges in maximizing impacts of preventive strategies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in young children.Yale J Biol Med. 2022;95(2):293-300.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnostic testing for RSV.Binns E, Tuckerman J, Licciardi PV, Wurzel D.Respiratory syncytial virus, recurrent wheeze and asthma: a narrative review of pathophysiology, prevention and future directions.J Paediatr Child Health. 2022;58(10):1741-1746. doi:10.1111/jpc.16197
6 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.Zheng Z.Challenges in maximizing impacts of preventive strategies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in young children.Yale J Biol Med. 2022;95(2):293-300.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnostic testing for RSV.Binns E, Tuckerman J, Licciardi PV, Wurzel D.Respiratory syncytial virus, recurrent wheeze and asthma: a narrative review of pathophysiology, prevention and future directions.J Paediatr Child Health. 2022;58(10):1741-1746. doi:10.1111/jpc.16197
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.
Zheng Z.Challenges in maximizing impacts of preventive strategies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in young children.Yale J Biol Med. 2022;95(2):293-300.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of RSV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnostic testing for RSV.Binns E, Tuckerman J, Licciardi PV, Wurzel D.Respiratory syncytial virus, recurrent wheeze and asthma: a narrative review of pathophysiology, prevention and future directions.J Paediatr Child Health. 2022;58(10):1741-1746. doi:10.1111/jpc.16197
Zheng Z.Challenges in maximizing impacts of preventive strategies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in young children.Yale J Biol Med. 2022;95(2):293-300.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of RSV.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV in adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnostic testing for RSV.
Binns E, Tuckerman J, Licciardi PV, Wurzel D.Respiratory syncytial virus, recurrent wheeze and asthma: a narrative review of pathophysiology, prevention and future directions.J Paediatr Child Health. 2022;58(10):1741-1746. doi:10.1111/jpc.16197
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