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Public Health Solutions
District Health Department
995 East Hwy 33, Ste 1
Crete, NE 68333-2562
888.310.0565
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
What is RSV?
RSV is a virus that causes respiratory tract infections. It commonly affects young children. Nearly all children by age two have evidence of infection. Outbreaks of RSV occur yearly -- most often in the winter and spring.
What are the symptoms of RSV infection?
In young children, RSV causes cold-like symptoms accompanied by fever and/or ear infection, or lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or croup. Up to 1% of infected children require hospitalization. The illness lasts for 7 to 21 days in infants, and hospitalization, if required, averages 4 to 7 days. For older children and adults, the illness lasts 7 to 10 days. Immunity is incomplete; subsequent infections are generally more mild.
Are there any complications to RSV infection?
Generally, complete recovery is the rule. People at highest risk for developing complications are young infants and those with cardiopulmonary disorders and congenital disorders. Infants born prematurely are also at risk of developing a more severe illness.
How is RSV spread?
The virus is spread via droplets (e.g., sneezing or coughing) or direct oral contact. It may be spread indirectly by hands, handkerchiefs, or eating utensils.
When is an infected person contagious?
Infected persons start shedding the virus shortly before onset of symptoms and continue to shed the virus for the duration of the illness. Rarely, infants may shed the virus for several weeks after symptoms subside.
Do persons with RSV infections need to be treated?
Most people with RSV infections recover on their own and do not need to be treated. Hospitalized infants may be treated with aerosolized ribavirin for two to five days.
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