RSV — Spreading the Facts

Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that generally causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people will recover in a couple of weeks, but for some, RSV can be very serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.

While anyone can get an RSV infection, it is most common in children under 2 years old, and it’s the leading cause of lower respiratory infections and pneumonia in those under 12 months old. Most children will have RSV by the time they are 2 years old, and reinfection is common and may recur throughout life.

RSV is traditionally more common in winter and early spring, with the RSV season running from November through March. Outbreaks generally occur annually in communities, classrooms, and childcare centers.

The Spread of RSV

The CDC reports that children are often exposed to RSV outside the home and can spread it to other family members. Once a person is infected with the virus, they are contagious for three to eight days, but infants and people with weakened immune systems can spread RSV for weeks, even if they are not showing any symptoms.

RSV is highly contagious, and it can spread through the droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can live for hours on surfaces such as counters or doorknobs and then passed on through touching your nose, eyes, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Practical Protection Against RSV

There are practical ways to help prevent you and your family from contracting RSV which include:

• Thorough hand washing using soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Hand sanitizing
• Disinfecting hard surfaces such as toys, countertops and doorknobs
• Keeping infants under 10 weeks of age away from crowds or public events as much as possible during RSV season

The most effective way to prevent the illness is through an RSV immunization, which provides a layer of defense helping to protect babies and young children from severe illness.

The CDC recommends:

1. Getting an RSV immunization if you are 32-36 weeks pregnant during RSV season. This vaccine is recommended during September through January for most of the country.
2. Getting an RSV antibody immunization for your baby if they are younger than 8 months and born during, or entering, their first RSV season. In rare cases, a healthcare provider may determine an RSV immunization is needed for an infant even though the mother received an RSV vaccine.

The CDC also recommends that the RSV immunization be given to children between the ages of 8 and 19 months entering their second RSV season who are in at least one of these following groups:

• Children who have chronic lung disease from being born prematurely
• Children who are severely immunocompromised
• Children with cystic fibrosis who have severe disease
• American Indian and Alaska Native children

For most babies, either the maternal RSV vaccine or the preventive antibody (Beyfortus) is recommended to prevent RSV disease, but they don’t need to have both. Vaccines are also available to protect older adults from severe RSV.

RSV can cause more severe and complicated infections including bronchiolitis— inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia— infection of the lungs. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 1 year.

The CDC reports that there are 100-300 deaths per year, and up to 80,000 hospitalizations of children with RSV under the age of 5, in the U.S.

“RSV is one of the largest causes of hospitalization and severe respiratory disease in newborns. About 1-3% of all children under 12 years old are hospitalized each year due to RSV,” said John Putman, M.D., pediatrician at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health. “RSV is highly contagious and nearly every child will have been infected by the time they are 2 years old. The new RSV immunization has shown to decrease the chances of a severe infection by 74.5%! Getting the Beyfortus medication is very important because if a child is sick enough to require hospitalization, there are no specific treatments other than time and supportive care.”

RSV Symptoms and Treatment

Once a person has been in contact with the virus, symptoms will begin within two to five days. Early RSV symptoms include mild cold-like symptoms such as runny nose.

In children younger than 3 years old, RSV may move into the lungs and symptoms include coughing, sneezing and wheezing.

If you have questions, talk to your doctor or your child's pediatrician. You can also count on the expert services provided at OU Health's emergency and urgent care locations. If breathing difficulties become severe and include any of the following symptoms, please visit the nearest emergency department:

• Fever
• Cough
• Apnea (brief interruptions in breathing)
• Difficulty swallowing which impairs eating or drinking
• Breathing difficulty — flaring of nostrils or straining of chest or stomach; taking faster breaths than normal
• Wheezing
• Lips or skin with a blue-colored tinge

Older adults especially may require additional oxygen, IV fluids, or intubation with a mechanical ventilation machine. Hospitalization usually only lasts a few days.

If at any point you believe an emergency exists, go to the closest emergency department or call 911. 

How to Treat Non-Serious RSV at Home

Fever and pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Adults can take aspirin but do not give it to children unless instructed by a pediatrician.

Stay hydrated to prevent dehydration and rest.

If you have questions, talk to your doctor. You can also count out the expert services provided at OU Health's emergency and urgent care locations.