RSV

RSV can spread when someone talks, coughs, or sneezes, sending tiny droplets into the air. If these droplets get into someone else’s mouth or nose, they can get sick too. You can also catch RSV by touching surfaces that have the virus on them and then touching your face.

RSV season generally starts during fall and peaks in the winter, but the timing and severity of the season can vary from year to year.

People are typically infected with RSV for the first time as an infant or toddler and nearly all children are infected before their second birthday. However, repeat infections may occur throughout life, and people of any age can be infected.

People are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness.

However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.

People infected with RSV usually have mild symptoms and are able to manage their symptoms on their own. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include the following:

• Congested or runny nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Sore Throat

In rare cases, individuals may develop serious complications with severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Emergency symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Severe cough
• Wheezing
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Bluish color of the skin
• In infants, additional emergency symptoms may include:
  • Short, shallow and rapid breathing
  • Struggling to breathe — chest muscles and skin pull inward with each breath
  • Poor feeding
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Irritability

1. Practice good hand, coughing, and sneezing hygiene.
   • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces in public areas. When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol may be used.
   • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly and wash your hands immediately afterward.
2. Stay home when sick.
   • Return to normal activities when your symptoms are better overall, and you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.
3. If eligible, receive an immunization or monoclonal antibodies in the fall.
   • View what may be recommended for you and where to get an RSV immunization below.

Monoclonal antibodies are available for babies and some young children which reduces the risk of severe RSV disease by about 90%. Eligible individuals should receive them as close to RSV season as possible, which is typically between October and March. Protection holds up for at least 5 months.

Monoclonal antibodies are not a vaccine. They are a preventive medication that provide antibodies directly vs. a traditional vaccine that "teach" the body how to make their own antibodies. There are two options this season: Nirsevimab and Clesrovimab.

Monoclonal antibodies should not be used to treat children already infected with RSV.

RSV Monoclonal Antibodies are recommended for:

• All infants under 8 months for their first RSV season.
• Some children ages 8 through 19 months entering their second RSV season, whose mother did not receive the RSV immunization during pregnancy, and who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease:
  • Children who were born prematurely and have chronic lung disease.
  • Children with severe immunocompromise.
  • Children with cystic fibrosis who have severe disease.
  • American Indian and Alaska Native children.

For more information, visit Immunizations to Protect Infants | RSV | CDC.

The purpose of immunizing pregnant women is to provide immunity to their infants, protecting them from RSV in the early months of life when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV disease.

The immunization is 82% effective at preventing hospitalization of the baby in the first 3 months of life and 69% effective after 6 months.

There is one option this season for pregnant women: Pfizer's ABRYSVO

RSV immunization is recommended for:

• Pregnant women between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy and only during the months of September to January.

This is not an annual vaccine—If you got one last year, you do not need one this year. Reduces the risk of severe disease from RSV by 82-86%.

Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall before RSV usually starts to spread in communities.

There are three options this season: Pfizer's ABRYSVO, GSK's AREXVY, Moderna's mRESVIA

RSV immunization is recommended for:

• All adults ages 75 years and older
• Adults 60 years and older who are at increased risk of severe RSV including the following:
  • have chronic heart or lung disease
  • have a weakened immune system
  • have certain other medical conditions
  • including severe obesity and severe diabetes
  • live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility

For more information, please visit CDC's RSV Immunization page.