Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a common virus that causes a cold-like disease. But unlike the common cold, RSV is highly contagious and can turn dangerous, with young children and older adults at highest risk for severe illness.

RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the U.S. and causes between 6,000 and 10,000 deaths among adults 65 and older annually.

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Who needs to be protected?

The best way to help prevent RSV is to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following protection against RSV for the following groups:

• Infants and young children
  • CDC recommends either maternal RSV vaccination or infant immunization to help prevent severe illness from RSV in infants and young children.
    • CDC recommends that pregnant people receive an RSV vaccine between 32–36 weeks of pregnancy during RSV season (typically September through January*) to protect their infants at birth.
    • If a child’s mother does not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy, CDC recommends giving a preventive antibody to the newborn after birth.
• Older adults
  • CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccines for:
    • All adults age 75 and older
    • Adults ages 60-74 who are at increased risk of severe illness from RSV (such as those with chronic heart or lung illness or those who are residents of long-term care facilities)

*RSV season can vary around the country. If you live in Alaska, Florida, or outside the continental U.S., talk to a healthcare provider about when RSV season is expected where you live.

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What vaccine options are available?

For older adults:

• Three RSV vaccines are available to help prevent RSV.

For infants:

• One maternal RSV vaccine is available to help prevent RSV in infants through vaccination during pregnancy.
• A preventive antibody, nirsevimab, is available for:
  • Infants under 8 months born during or entering their first RSV season, if the mother has no or unknown RSV vaccine history, or the RSV vaccine was received less than 14 days prior to birth.
  • Young children 8–19 months who are at increased risk for severe illness from RSV and entering their second RSV season.

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Can I get my RSV vaccine at the same time as my COVID-19 and flu vaccines?

Yes, COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines may be given at the same visit, according to CDC. This is known as coadministration and is a common way to stay up to date on recommended vaccines — particularly when there may be not be an opportunity in the future to receive these vaccines.

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I’m feeling lousy. How do I figure out what I have?

Visit CDC’s website to learn more about symptoms for COVID-19, influenza (flu), whooping cough, pneumococcal disease, and RSV.

Symptoms of RSV may include:

• Runny nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever*
• Wheezing

*There is some research that indicates that fever in older adults may be lower than the typical 101.4 F.

There are currently no over-the-counter tests available for RSV, but testing options are available through healthcare providers and home collection kits.

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What should I do if I or a loved one has RSV?

For most adults, RSV is mild and resembles a common cold. For infants and older adults, RSV can be very serious. Unlike other respiratory conditions, there is no specific treatment for RSV, but supportive care is available to help ease symptoms. Consult with a healthcare professional if you or a loved one are experiencing worsening symptoms.