Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms. While most people recover quickly from RSV, it is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, the inflammation of lung airways, and pneumonia in infants. It can also cause serious illness in older adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common symptoms of RSV include:

• Runny nose

• Decrease in appetite

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Fever

• Wheezing

Parents of infants with RSV may notice fussiness, sleepiness and difficulty breathing.

You can prevent spreading RSV by doing the following:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve — never use your hands

• Thoroughly wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

• Avoid close contact — kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and utensils — with sick people

• Clean contaminated surfaces and frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and mobile devices

• For young children, limit the time spent in childcare centers or other potentially contagious settings during periods of high RSV activity