Recognizing RSV Awareness Month
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a respiratory virus so widespread that most children will have been infected with it by the age of two.¹ As a common and highly contagious seasonal virus, RSV is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections and can also be dangerous for high-risk adults and those over the age of 60.² ³
As fall begins, so does RSV season.⁴ October is RSV Awareness Month, and we want to make sure you have the tools and information you need to keep yourself and your community safe.
What Is RSV?
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people, but can be dangerous for certain groups, including children under the age of two, people with heart disease or lung disease, people with weakened immune systems, and older adults, especially ages 60 or older.⁵
Common symptoms include runny nose, congestion, mild headache, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and fever, and usually lasts 2-8 days.⁶ In severe cases, symptoms may last longer or lead to other serious conditions, including worsening of asthma or COPD symptoms, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, or congestive heart failure.⁷ RSV season typically starts during the fall and peaks during the winter, similar to other respiratory viruses.⁸
In the U.S., up to 160,000 older adults are hospitalized each year and between 6,000 to 10,000 older adults die from RSV annually.⁹ ¹⁰ RSV is also the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S.¹¹
How do I prevent RSV Disease?
Get vaccinated for RSV if you are age 75 or older¹², between the ages of 60-74 and are at increased risk of severe RSV¹³, or between 32-36 weeks pregnant from September through January.¹⁴
Take steps to limit infection by washing your hands often, sanitizing frequently-used surfaces, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding exposure to those who are sick.¹⁵
If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another, as revaccinations are not currently recommended.¹⁶ If you have questions about getting the RSV vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider.
¹https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353098
²https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv/rsv-in-adults#:~:text=RSV%20is%20the%20most%20common,10%2C000%20die%20from%20RSV%20infection
³https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rsv-is-surging
⁴https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/php/surveillance/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/research/
⁵https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rsv-is-surging
⁶https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/rsv-respiratory-syncytial-virus#symptoms-and-causes
⁷https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv/rsv-in-adults#:~:text=RSV%20is%20the%20most%20common,10%2C000%20die%20from%20RSV%20infection
⁸https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/php/surveillance/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/research/
⁹https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv/rsv-in-adults#:~:text=RSV%20is%20the%20most%20common,10%2C000%20die%20from%20RSV%20infection
¹⁰https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/rsv/index.html#:~:text=RSV%20can%20be%20dangerous%20for,1%20in%20the%20United%20States
¹¹https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
¹²https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults.html
¹³Ibid.
¹⁴https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/hcp/pregnant-people.html
¹⁵https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353098
¹⁶https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults.html