RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Learn about RSV prevention, symptoms, and treatment with the following resources.

Page Sections

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. Anyone can get RSV, but infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and complications.

There is a RSV vaccine that is recommended for all adults aged 75 and older, or those aged 60 and older with certain health risk factors; pregnant people between 32–36 weeks of pregnancy during September to January; and for infants under 8 months (or 8–19 months if at higher risk for severe RSV disease) whose parent did not receive the maternal RSV vaccine.

Residents are encouraged to contact their health care provider or visit a local pharmacy to find an accessible vaccine clinic. Contact the Mayor’s Health Line for free, confidential, multilingual health information and referral services at 617-534-5050. The Mayor’s Health Line helps all residents regardless of immigration status.

Have questions or want to connect?
617-534-5050
INFO@BPHC.ORG
1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVE

BOSTON, MA 02118

How to prevent RSV

There are key steps everyone can take to help prevent the spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses:

Get vaccinated for RSV.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your shirt sleeve, not your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid close contact with others, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils.
Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.
Clean shared toys daily in a dishwasher or with soap and hot water.

Why Get Vaccinated?

To prevent severe RSV symptoms and complications, infants, pregnant people, and older adults can get vaccinated before or during RSV season (October to March). The RSV vaccine offers the best protection against becoming seriously ill. Talk to your health care provider about getting the RSV vaccine or if you have any questions.

RSV Vaccine for Pregnant People: The RSV maternal vaccine builds protective proteins or “antibodies” that pass from parent to baby during pregnancy. The antibodies will protect the baby from severe RSV in their first 6 months.
RSV Antibody for Babies and Children: RSV antibodies are protective proteins that help the immune system protect itself from RSV. The RSV antibody is recommended to protect against severe RSV.
RSV Vaccine for Older Adults: The RSV vaccine is recommended for older adults to protect them from severe RSV and hospitalization. It is given as a single dose and is not currently recommended as an annual vaccine.

Symptoms of RSV

Symptoms of RSV develop 4-6 days after getting infected, and for most children and adults, it resembles a cold. Common symptoms include:

Cough
Runny Nose
Fever
Loss of Appetite
Body aches
Feeling tired
Wheezing
Sneezing

Fortunately, most people recover from an RSV infection on their own. RSV symptoms are typically at their worst on days 3 through 5 of illness. Call your health care provider right away or seek emergency care if you or your child are having any of the following symptoms:

High, ongoing fever (101.3 F [38.5 C] or higher)
Trouble breathing, such as short, rapid, and shallow breaths or retractions, where the chest caves in and the belly expands with each breath
Signs of dehydration
Unusual irritability or inactivity
Refusing to nurse or bottle-feed
Turning blue around the lips and fingertips

Treatment

RSV can go away in a week or two on its own. However, to relieve symptoms you can:

Rest
Drink plenty of fluids
Use fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to a child with a fever.

When can people return to work/school?

Adults and children diagnosed with RSV should stay home until at least 24 hours after fever disappears without use of medication. However, if childcare centers or other facilities have a respiratory illness cluster, they may ask people to stay home longer (5+ days after illness begins).
For additional questions, concerns, or guidance call Boston Public Health Commission's Infectious Disease Bureau at 617-534-5611.
Contact your health care provider with questions and seek care immediately if symptoms worsen or continue.