RSV: What You Need to Know

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract. It's so common that most children have been infected with RSV by the age of 2. RSV can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

Runny nose

Cough

Fever

Wheezing

Difficulty breathing

RSV can be serious, especially for infants and young children.

In severe cases, RSV can lead to hospitalization and even death. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and your child from RSV, including:

Washing your hands frequently

Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

Staying away from sick people

Getting a flu shot

Giving your child a RSV vaccine