Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections Summary Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can cause serious problems in young babies, including pneumonia and severe breathing problems. Premature babies and those with other health problems have the highest risk. A child with RSV may have a fever, stuffy nose, cough, and trouble breathing. Lab tests can tell if your child has the virus. There is no specific treatment. You should give your child fluids to prevent dehydration. If needed, you can also give a pain reliever (not aspirin) for fever and headache. RSV easily spreads from person to person. You can get it from direct contact with someone who has it or by touching infected objects such as toys or surfaces such as countertops. Washing your hands often and not sharing eating and drinking utensils are simple ways to help prevent the spread of RSV infection. There is currently no vaccine for RSV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Find an Expert American Lung Association American Lung Association National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Specifics Bronchiolitis American Academy of Family Physicians Children Bronchiolitis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchiolitis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections National Institutes of Health Start Here Learn about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) American Lung Association Respiratory Syncytial Virus Nemours Foundation Respiratory Syncytial Virus National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Encyclopedia Nasopharyngeal culture Prevention and Risk Factors Protecting Your Baby from RSV American Academy of Pediatrics Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV): Transmission and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections Array Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RSV antibody test Diagnosis and Tests Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Diagnosis National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases RSV Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Symptoms Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Symptoms National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Treatments and Therapies Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Treatment National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Statistics and Research Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Trends and Surveillance Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV): Infection and Incidence Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
