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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
(RSV)
What is respiratory syncytial virus infection?
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, infection is a respiratory illness
caused by a virus.
Who gets RSV infection?
Anyone can be infected, but RSV most often causes serious illness in
infants and very young children. The virus can also cause serious illness
in elderly people and those with a weakened immune system.
When do RSV infections occur?
RSV infections typically occur during the fall and winter.
How is RSV spread?
RSV is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat
of infected people when they cough and sneeze. RSV can also spread through
dried respiratory secretions on bedclothes and similar items.
What are the symptoms of RSV infection?
Typical symptoms resemble the common cold. However, RSV infection can
also result in pneumonia, especially in the very young, the very old or
those with weakened immune systems. However, mild or inapparent illness
may occur. Symptoms may persist for a few days to a number of weeks.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
Symptoms generally begin four to six days after exposure. Symptoms generally
develop slowly over a period of several days. The contagious period is
usually less than 10 days after symptoms begin, but occasionally is longer.
How is RSV infection diagnosed?
RSV is usually diagnosed based upon the appearance of typical symptoms.
The use of specific laboratory tests is often limited to cases of severe
illness and to special outbreak investigations.
What is the treatment of RSV infection?
A medication called ribavirin is effective against RSV infection if
begun in the first few days after symptoms appear. Because RSV infection
is often resolved on its own, treatment of mild symptoms is not necessary
for most people. Antibiotics are not effective treatments for viral illnesses
such as RSV infection (although in certain patients, antibiotics may be
used to treat bacterial infections which have complicated the RSV infection
in that patient). Does past infection with RSV make a person immune?
Immunity after RSV infection does occur, but is not life-long. Repeat
infections are known to occur, although they may be milder. The duration
is unknown.
What can be done to prevent the spread of RSV?
At this time, there are no licensed vaccines for the prevention of RSV
infection. When RSV infections are noted in a facility such as a hospital
or nursing home, contact isolation (to minimize person-to-person spread)
and handwashing by health care workers have been shown to limit spread
of the virus. As with any respiratory illness, all people should cover
their face when coughing and sneezing.
Source: NY State Department of Health
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