BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)RSV; Palivizumab; Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin; Bronchiolitis - RSV; URI - RSV; Upper respiratory illness - RSV; Bronchiolitis - RSVRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in young babies, especially those in certain high-risk groups. Causes RSV is the most common germ that causes lung and airway infections in infants and young children. Most infants have had this infection by age 2. Outbreaks of RSV infections most often begin in the fall and run into the spring.The infection can occur in people of all ages. The virus spreads through tiny droplets that go into the air when a sick person blows their nose, coughs, or sneezes.You can catch RSV if:A person with RSV sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you. You touch, kiss, or shake hands with someone who is infected by the virus. You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by the virus, such as a toy or doorknob. RSV often spreads quickly in crowded households and day care centers. The virus can live for a half an hour or more on hands. The virus can also live for up to 5 hours on countertops and for several hours on used tissues.The following increase the risk for RSV: Attending day care Being near tobacco smoke Having school-aged brothers or sisters Living in crowded conditions Symptoms Symptoms can vary and differ with age:They usually appear 2 to 8 days after coming in contact with the virus. Older children most often have only mild, cold-like symptoms, such as a barking cough, stuffy nose, or low-grade fever. Barking coughCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a "barking" cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stuffy noseA stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels. The problem may also in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infants under age 1 may have more severe symptoms and often have the most trouble breathing:Bluish skin color due to a lack of oxygen (cyanosis) in more severe cases CyanosisA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing difficulty or labored breathing Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nasal flaring Nasal flaringNasal flaring occurs when the nostrils widen while breathing. It is often a sign of trouble breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid breathing (tachypnea) Rapid breathingA normal breathing rate for an adult at rest is 8 to 16 breaths per minute. For an infant, a normal rate is up to 44 breaths per minute. Tachypnea i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath Whistling sound (wheezing)WheezingWheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air moves through narrowed breathing tubes in the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Many hospitals and clinics can rapidly test for RSV using a sample of fluid taken from the nose with a cotton swab. Treatment Antibiotics and bronchodilators are not used to treat RSV.Mild infections go away without treatment.Infants and children with a severe RSV infection may be admitted to the hospital. Treatment will include:Supplemental oxygen Moist (humidified) air Suctioning of nasal secretions Fluids through a vein (by IV) A breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed. Outlook (Prognosis) More severe RSV disease may occur in the following infants:Premature infants Infants with chronic lung disease Infants whose immune system does not work well Infants with certain forms of heart disease Rarely, RSV infection can cause death in infants. However, this is unlikely if the child is seen by a health care provider in the early stages of the disease.Children who have had RSV bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma. Possible Complications In young children, RSV can cause:Bronchiolitis Lung failure PneumoniaPneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider right away if you have:Difficulty breathing High fever Shortness of breath Bluish skin colorAny breathing problems in an infant are an emergency. Seek medical help right away. Prevention To help prevent RSV infection, wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby. Make certain that other people, especially caregivers, take steps to avoid giving RSV to your baby.The following simple steps can help protect your baby from getting sick:Insist that others wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching your baby. Have others avoid contact with the baby if they have a cold or fever. If necessary, have them wear a mask. Be aware that kissing the baby can spread RSV infection. Try to keep young children away from your baby. RSV is very common among young children and easily spreads from child to child. Do not smoke inside your house, car, or anywhere near your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk for RSV illness. Parents of high-risk young infants should avoid crowds during outbreaks of RSV. Moderate-to-large outbreaks are often reported by local news sources to provide parents with an opportunity to avoid exposure.The drug Synagis (palivizumab) is approved for the prevention of RSV disease in children younger than 24 months who are at high risk for serious RSV disease. Ask your provider if your child should receive this medicine.Open ReferencesReferencesSimões EAF, Bont L, Manzoni P, et al. Past, present and future approaches to the prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children. Infect Dis Ther. 2018;7(1):87-120. PMID: 29470837 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29470837/.Smith DK, Seales S, Budzik C. Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in children. Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(2):94-99. PMID: 28084708 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28084708/.Talbot HK, Walsh EE. Respiratory syncytial virus. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 338.Walsh EE, Englund JA. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 158.AllVideoImagesTogBronchiolitis - illustration Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the bronchioles (smaller airways that branch off the main airway) usually caused by a viral infection.BronchiolitisillustrationBronchiolitis - illustration Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the bronchioles (smaller airways that branch off the main airway) usually caused by a viral infection.Bronchiolitisillustration Tests for Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RSV antibody testNasopharyngeal cultureRelated Information Respiratory(Special Topic)Acute(Special Topic)Community-acquired pneumonia in adults(Condition)Bronchiolitis(Condition)Croup(Condition)Antibody(Special Topic)Otitis(Condition)Bronchiolitis - discharge(Discharge)Pneumonia(In-Depth) Review Date: 2/24/2022 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)RSV; Palivizumab; Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin; Bronchiolitis - RSV; URI - RSV; Upper respiratory illness - RSV; Bronchiolitis - RSVRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in young babies, especially those in certain high-risk groups. Causes RSV is the most common germ that causes lung and airway infections in infants and young children. Most infants have had this infection by age 2. Outbreaks of RSV infections most often begin in the fall and run into the spring.The infection can occur in people of all ages. The virus spreads through tiny droplets that go into the air when a sick person blows their nose, coughs, or sneezes.You can catch RSV if:A person with RSV sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you. You touch, kiss, or shake hands with someone who is infected by the virus. You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by the virus, such as a toy or doorknob. RSV often spreads quickly in crowded households and day care centers. The virus can live for a half an hour or more on hands. The virus can also live for up to 5 hours on countertops and for several hours on used tissues.The following increase the risk for RSV: Attending day care Being near tobacco smoke Having school-aged brothers or sisters Living in crowded conditions Symptoms Symptoms can vary and differ with age:They usually appear 2 to 8 days after coming in contact with the virus. Older children most often have only mild, cold-like symptoms, such as a barking cough, stuffy nose, or low-grade fever. Barking coughCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a "barking" cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stuffy noseA stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels. The problem may also in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infants under age 1 may have more severe symptoms and often have the most trouble breathing:Bluish skin color due to a lack of oxygen (cyanosis) in more severe cases CyanosisA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Breathing difficulty or labored breathing Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nasal flaring Nasal flaringNasal flaring occurs when the nostrils widen while breathing. It is often a sign of trouble breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid breathing (tachypnea) Rapid breathingA normal breathing rate for an adult at rest is 8 to 16 breaths per minute. For an infant, a normal rate is up to 44 breaths per minute. Tachypnea i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath Whistling sound (wheezing)WheezingWheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air moves through narrowed breathing tubes in the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Many hospitals and clinics can rapidly test for RSV using a sample of fluid taken from the nose with a cotton swab. Treatment Antibiotics and bronchodilators are not used to treat RSV.Mild infections go away without treatment.Infants and children with a severe RSV infection may be admitted to the hospital. Treatment will include:Supplemental oxygen Moist (humidified) air Suctioning of nasal secretions Fluids through a vein (by IV) A breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed. Outlook (Prognosis) More severe RSV disease may occur in the following infants:Premature infants Infants with chronic lung disease Infants whose immune system does not work well Infants with certain forms of heart disease Rarely, RSV infection can cause death in infants. However, this is unlikely if the child is seen by a health care provider in the early stages of the disease.Children who have had RSV bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma. Possible Complications In young children, RSV can cause:Bronchiolitis Lung failure PneumoniaPneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider right away if you have:Difficulty breathing High fever Shortness of breath Bluish skin colorAny breathing problems in an infant are an emergency. Seek medical help right away. Prevention To help prevent RSV infection, wash your hands often, especially before touching your baby. Make certain that other people, especially caregivers, take steps to avoid giving RSV to your baby.The following simple steps can help protect your baby from getting sick:Insist that others wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching your baby. Have others avoid contact with the baby if they have a cold or fever. If necessary, have them wear a mask. Be aware that kissing the baby can spread RSV infection. Try to keep young children away from your baby. RSV is very common among young children and easily spreads from child to child. Do not smoke inside your house, car, or anywhere near your baby. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk for RSV illness. Parents of high-risk young infants should avoid crowds during outbreaks of RSV. Moderate-to-large outbreaks are often reported by local news sources to provide parents with an opportunity to avoid exposure.The drug Synagis (palivizumab) is approved for the prevention of RSV disease in children younger than 24 months who are at high risk for serious RSV disease. Ask your provider if your child should receive this medicine.Open ReferencesReferencesSimões EAF, Bont L, Manzoni P, et al. Past, present and future approaches to the prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children. Infect Dis Ther. 2018;7(1):87-120. PMID: 29470837 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29470837/.Smith DK, Seales S, Budzik C. Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in children. Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(2):94-99. PMID: 28084708 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28084708/.Talbot HK, Walsh EE. Respiratory syncytial virus. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 338.Walsh EE, Englund JA. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 158.
