This site is intended only for US healthcare professionals.
The information provided is for educational purposes only.

Share with your colleagues 

Menu

Close

Share with your colleaguesHome AdultsAdultsInfantsInfantsRSV Vaccine Option 

UNCOVER MORE ABOUT RSV IN INFANTS

UNCOVER MORE ABOUT RSV IN INFANTS

Signs of RSV Loading Severe RSV Loading RSV Prevention Loading Patient-Friendly Discussion Guide Loading
ABOUT RSV
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) IS A COMMON VIRUS THAT MAY AFFECT AND COMPROMISE THE LUNGS AND BREATHING PASSAGES OF INFANTS AND OLDER ADULTS. 1,2
RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus that typically starts circulating in November and extends into May. Although RSV season varies by geographic region, outbreaks can be serious across all age groups, causing respiratory illness ranging from mild to severe that can lead to hospitalization. 2-6
The impact of RSV in the US
Each year in the US,
there are ~80,000 RSV-associated infant hospitalizations.7**These data come from a meta-analysis where a rate per 1000 was applied to the 2020 birth cohort of 4.1 million infants.
The highest rates of
hospitalization for RSV in children
occur in infants less than 3 months old with the peak
occurring between 1 and 2 months8,9††Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV surveillance for infants 0-6 months
(unpublished data, 2016-2022).
Each year, RSV leads to
100-300 deaths in children ≤5 years10
UNDERSTAND THE BURDEN THAT RSV CAN BE
Hear firsthand how RSV has affected the lives of real people.
Signs of rsv
RSV SYMPTOMS: FROM MILD AND MODERATE TO SEVERE
EARLY SYMPTOMS
At the onset, RSV may not be severe for infants and young children. However, it can become more severe in just a few days, with early symptoms that may include 1:
Runny nose
Decreased
appetite
Cough, which may
progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing
Runny nose
Decreased
appetite
Cough, which
may progress to wheezing or difficulty
breathing
RSV IN INFANTS (<6 MONTHS)
INFANTS THIS YOUNG WITH RSV ALMOST ALWAYS SHOW ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS WITH OR WITHOUT FEVER1,4:
Irritability
Decreased
activity
Decreased
appetite
Apnea

According to the CDC, virtually every child will get RSV by the time they are 2 years old. 1

CERTAIN INFANTS  ARE AT A Higher risk for severe rsv.1

Severe RSV
Those infected with RSV may recover in a week or two. However, some infants may suffer more severe RSV symptoms that lead to bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and maybe even hospitalization.1,11,12
RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants that may result in respiratory failure and mortality.12-14
RSV can be especially serious or deadly in infants because it is associated with bronchiolitis that can lead to12,14:
Acute respiratory failure
with severe bronchospasm 
Moderate to severe
hypoxia
Carbon dioxide
retention
Acute respiratory failure with severe bronchospasm 
Moderate to severe hypoxia
Carbon dioxide
retention
RSV Uncovered: bringing the impact of RSV out of the shadows
Hear experts, including Janet Englund, MD, Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, and Bernard Gonik, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist, answer the big questions about RSV.
RSV PREVENTION
There are things that your patients and their families can do that may help prevent RSV. 1,2,15
Remind your patients to1,2,15 :
Cover coughs and
sneezes
Frequently wash their
hands with soap and water
Avoid close contact
with sick people
Clean and disinfect
surfaces
If eligible, get vaccinated against RSV

RSV Patient Discussion Guide

Review questions and talking points in this Discussion Tool to help you talk about RSV with your patients.

DOWNLOAD TOOL Loading

RSV doesn't just affect babies. Learn about RSV in older adults

For additional information on RSV in infants and young children, visit CDC.gov.

CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Back to top