Respiratory syncytial virus causes respiratory illness in people of all ages, but can be especially dangerous in infants, elderly people, and the immunocompromised. For most healthy children, RSV behaves like other colds but for some children it can become dangerous. For children under the age of 1 year old, RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization, and children under the age of 6 months or with comorbid conditions are at highest risk of complications. It is typically spread like any other cold; through contact with infected mucus or saliva. 

RSV symptoms are often similar to typical cold symptoms, but it can progress into bronchiolitis or pneumonia; symptoms can last a couple of weeks, but usually peak between days 3-5 of illness. Early symptoms in infants may include runny nose, cough, low appetite, and fussiness; sometimes these symptoms become severe and can include wheezing, difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, and retractions. If your child is having difficulty breathing, dehydration, or worsening symptoms, seek medical treatment. If symptoms are mild, home treatment may include remedies such as nasal saline and gentle suctioning, keeping your child hydrated with fluid intake, and use of a humidifier. For additional care advice, see Healthy Children’s RSV symptom checker.

There is an RSV antibody injection available for infants under the age of 8 months (or high risk older infants) whose mothers did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. For older children who cannot receive the vaccine, handwashing, avoiding sick contacts, and sanitizing surfaces can help reduce risk of transmission. If you have questions about the vaccine, or would like one for your young infant, please call to schedule an appointment with us!

Healthy Children. (19 August 2025). RSV: When It's More Than Just a Cold. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx?_ga=2.69769360.101337158.1668802952-1159875255.1667408686&_gl=1*1cmdb63*_ga*MTE1OTg3NTI1NS4xNjY3NDA4Njg2*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTY2ODgwMjk1Mi4yLjEuMTY2ODgwMjk1OS4wLjAuMA..&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=69654055&gbraid=0AAAAADyMpZFyekOj0nBPliOfSWuYKHhAv&gclid=CjwKCAjwup3HBhAAEiwA7euZupOUqDJlBDvN3yqtrTOBwaGFvf0HjnKY32y8jm8TR0THNq1gwTTIMBoCy0YQAvD_BwE