About RSV | RSV

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class="cdc-dfe-body__top "> <div class="dfe-section dfe-section--page-summary summary-list" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_page_summary"> <div class="dfe-section__header"> <h2 class="editor-block--title" id="heading-i1ioqrqi0q">What to know</h2> </div> <div class="dfe-section__content"> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">CDC recommends immunizations to protect infants, some young children, and older adults.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <div class="dfe-section__nav hide" id="dfe-section__nav"> <div class="dfe-section__nav__header" id="dfe-section__nav__header"> </div> <div class="dfe-section__nav-links" id="dfe-section__nav-links"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dfe-section__image" id="page-summary-image"> <figure class="dfe-image dfe-image__large"><div class="image-container fluid aspect-ratio-16-9 stretch"><img src="/rsv/media/images/2024/06/grandfather-holding-baby_crop.jpg" alt="Grandfather holding baby" title="Grandfather holding baby_crop"></div></figure> </div> <div id="nav-buttons"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__center "> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_overview"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_overview-what-is-rsv" name="What%20is%20RSV?" title="What is RSV?"></a><h2 class="editor-block--title" id="heading-yi5npqbxhu">What is RSV?</h2> <p>Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. RSV symptoms make it difficult to distinguish it from the common cold or other respiratory viruses (like the flu or COVID-19). RSV spreads in the fall and winter along with other respiratory viruses. It usually peaks in December and January. </p> <div class="dfe-block dfe-block--keep_reading"><b>Keep Reading:</b> <a href="/rsv/causes/index.html">How RSV Spreads</a></div> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_disease_basics_treatment"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_disease_basics_treatment-rsv-can-be-dangerous-for-infants-and-older-adults" name="RSV%20can%20be%20dangerous%20for%20infants%20and%20older%20adults" title="RSV can be dangerous for infants and older adults"></a><h2 class="editor-block--title" id="heading-tochgq-5da">RSV can be dangerous for infants and older adults</h2> <p>RSV does not usually cause severe illness in healthy adults and children. However, some people with RSV infection, especially older adults and infants younger than 6 months of age, can become very sick and may need to be hospitalized. </p> <p>RSV can also cause more severe illness such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs). It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age. </p> <p>In the most severe cases, a person may require: </p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Additional oxygen,<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">IV fluids if they can't drink enough to stay hydrated, or<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Intubation (have a breathing tube inserted through the mouth and down to the airway) with mechanical ventilation (a machine to help a person breathe).<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>In most of these cases, hospitalization lasts only a few days. </p> <h4 id="heading-rdyhlkoddg">Learn more about people at high risk for severe RSV infection.</h4> <div class="dfe-links-layout--featured"><div class="dfe-curated-link dfe-curated-link--featured" data-post="587_3238"><div class="dfe-curated-link__image dfe-image image-container featured"><a href="/rsv/vaccines/protect-infants.html" title="Immunizations to Protect Infants"><img src="/rsv/media/images/2024/05/mother-infant.jpg" alt="" role="presentation"></a></div> <div class="dfe-curated-link__content featured"><div class="dfe-curated-link__title"><a class="cdc-block-link" href="/rsv/vaccines/protect-infants.html">Immunizations to Protect Infants</a></div> <div class="dfe-curated-link__desc">Information about RSV immunization to protect your baby from severe RSV illness.</div> <time class="dfe-curated-link__date">Aug. 30, 2024</time> <div class="featured download"></div></div> <div class="dfe-curated-link__download"></div></div> <div class="dfe-curated-link dfe-curated-link--featured" data-post="587_2598"><div class="dfe-curated-link__image dfe-image image-container featured"><a href="/rsv/older-adults/index.html" title="RSV in Older Adults"><img src="/rsv/media/images/2024/05/doctor-older-patient-1.jpg" alt="" role="presentation"></a></div> <div class="dfe-curated-link__content featured"><div class="dfe-curated-link__title"><a class="cdc-block-link" href="/rsv/older-adults/index.html">RSV in Older Adults</a></div> <div class="dfe-curated-link__desc">Information about RSV for older adults.</div> <time class="dfe-curated-link__date">Aug. 30, 2024</time> <div class="featured download"></div></div> <div class="dfe-curated-link__download"></div></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__right page-right-rail"> <aside class="page-right-rail__dynamic noindex" role="complementary"> <div data-related-nav></div> </aside> </div> </div> <div data-journey-next></div> <section class="container page-mobile-bar"> <time class="page-mobile-bar__item page-mobile-bar__item--date" datetime="2024-08-30 00:00:00"> August 30, 2024 </time> </section> <div class="page-content-sources noindex"> <div class="page-content-sources__header"> <a data-action="summary" class="collapsed" href="#content-sources" role="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" aria-expanded="false" 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