What is rsv virus symptoms

But these lifestyle habits can help prevent the spread of this infection:. The medication palivizumab Synagis , given in the form of a shot injection , can help protect certain infants and children 2 years old and younger who are at high risk of serious complications from RSV. High-risk children in this age group include those who:.

The first injection is given at the start of the RSV season, with monthly injections given during the season. This medication only helps prevent RSV infection. It does not help treat it once symptoms develop. Talk with your child's doctor to find out if your child would benefit from this medication and to learn more about it. This medication is not recommended for healthy children or for adults. Scientists continue working to develop a vaccine to protect against RSV. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Respiratory syncytial virus RSV causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Kliegman RM, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; Accessed Oct. Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor In very young infants less than 6 months old , the only symptoms of RSV infection may be. RSV season occurs each year in most regions of the U. If you have contact with an infant or young child, especially those who were born prematurely, are very young, have chronic lung or heart disease or a weakened immune system, you should take extra care to keep the infant healthy by doing the following:.

Call your healthcare provider if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms. There is no vaccine yet to prevent RSV infection, but scientists are working hard to develop one.

And there is a medicine that can help protect some babies at high risk for severe RSV disease. Healthcare providers usually give this medicine called palivizumab to premature infants and young children with certain heart and lung conditions as a series of monthly shots during RSV season.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. RSV can also cause more severe infections such as bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age. Healthy adults and infants infected with RSV do not usually need to be hospitalized.

But some people with RSV infection, especially older adults and infants younger than 6 months of age, may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated. In the most severe cases, a person may require additional oxygen or intubation have a breathing tube inserted through the mouth and down to the airway with mechanical ventilation a machine to help a person breathe.

In most of these cases, hospitalization only lasts a few days. Learn more about people at high risk for severe RSV infection.