Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Information for the Public

RSV can spread when

• An infected person coughs or sneezes
• You get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose, or mouth
• You have direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV
• You touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

CDC recommends immunizations to protect those most at risk of getting very sick with RSV:

Infants & toddlers:

Infants born to mothers who did not get the RSV vaccine can be given a different type of immunization called a monoclonal antibody

• Chart of new RSV Immunizations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Pregnant people should get a single dose of the maternal RSV vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy sometime between September through January.

• RSV Vaccine Guidance for Pregnant People (Centers for Disease Control Prevention)

Older adults:

CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for all adults ages 75 years and older and for adults ages 60–74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV.

Conditions that increase your risk for severe illness include:

• Chronic heart or lung disease
• Weakened immune system
• Certain other medical conditions
• Living in a nursing home

• One dose of RSV vaccine provides protection against RSV disease in adults ages 60 years and older for at least two years.
• Because Arexvy and Abrysvo were licensed by FDA in May 2023 and mResvia was licensed in June 2024, we are still learning about how long RSV vaccines provide protection.
• Vaccines for Older Adults: RSV (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Learn more about core and additional strategies for preventing respiratory illness:

CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions including:

• staying away from people who are sick
• covering coughs and sneezes, 
• frequent handwashing
• taking steps for cleaner air
• Preventing Respiratory Viruses (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include

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

These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.

In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.

Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.

Infants and Children

• RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States.
• Each year in the United States, an estimated 58,000-80,000 children younger than 5 years are hospitalized due to RSV. 

Older Adults

• 60,000-160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized each year due to RSV and 6,000-10,000 die.

Each year in the United States, RSV leads to approximately:

• 2.1 million outpatient (non-hospitalization) visits among children younger than 5 years old.
• 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old.
• 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations among adults 65 years and older.
• 6,000-10,000 deaths among adults 65 years and older.
• 100–300 deaths in children younger than 5 years old.

Surveillance of RSV (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Seasonal Respiratory Viruses (MDHHS)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a notifiable disease. A notifiable disease is one that doctors must report to state or local public health officials.

Public health officials track some diseases because they can spread easily, are serious, or happen often. 

Get answers to frequently asked questions about RSV and the vaccine used to prevent it.

Ask The Experts About RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccines (immunize.org)

Protecting Babies from RSV: What You Should Know (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

RSV & Adults: What You Should Know (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Video: RSV: What is it? (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)

Clear Answers and Smart Advice About Your Baby's Shots (immunize.org)