Respiratory Syncytial Virus

As with any illness, tell the child’s family if you’re concerned about their health. Contact 911 or your local emergency system if you think a child may be having a medical emergency.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a viral infection of the respiratory tract, which includes the nose, throat, and lungs. It is a common cause of respiratory infections in young children. Symptoms range from mild cold symptoms to severe illness. Children younger than age 1 are at higher risk for severe illness. A health care provider can tell you if a child has RSV.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

Most people with RSV have mild cold symptoms for five to seven days. Sometimes, RSV can cause problems with breathing, like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

RSV Symptoms in Young Children

If a young child is developing severe illness, they may not eat well, have fewer wet diapers, be less active, or be harder to soothe. If a child shows any signs of severe illness, especially breathing problems, a health care provider may need to see the child right away.

For more information about RSV and a video showing symptoms of respiratory distress, see RSV: When It’s More Than Just a Cold from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

How does RSV spread?

RSV spreads very easily from one person to another when someone:

• Breathes in droplets of the virus that travel in the air from a cough or sneeze
• Touches their nose, mouth, or eyes after touching surfaces (e.g., toys, tables) that have virus on them from a cough, sneeze, or dirty hands

People with RSV can spread it before they show symptoms and for days or weeks after getting sick. RSV infections are most common in the fall and winter, but the timing can be different every year.

Who is at greatest risk?

Anyone can get RSV. People can also get it more than once. Premature infants and young children with heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for severe RSV. Older adults who have chronic heart or lung disease or who have weakened immune systems are also at a higher risk.

How can programs limit the spread of RSV?

Follow regular practices for infection control to help keep everyone healthy:

• Refer to Caring for Our Children Standard 7.3.8.1.
• Encourage children and adults to stay home when they’re sick.
• Do daily health checks when children arrive.
• Watch children for signs of illness. Contact their parent or guardian if a child is too sick to stay.
• Let families know if there are RSV cases, but do not share confidential health information.
• Wash hands with soap and water often throughout the day.
• Do not let children share mouthed toys, cups, or utensils.
• Regularly clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and toys.
• Teach people to cover their coughs and sneezes.
• Throw away used tissues.
• Let fresh air indoors. Spend time outdoors.
• Keep immunizations up to date. Adults and children should get RSV immunizations if recommended.
• Exclude children if they:
  • Are too sick to take part in program activities
  • Need more care than staff can give without affecting the health and safety of other children
  • Have other signs or symptoms in your “stay home when sick” policy

How can programs partner with families?

Here are some ways programs can partner with families:

• Share information about RSV and other common respiratory illnesses.
• Help families find and use information about RSV.
• As with any illness, encourage families to contact the child’s health care provider with questions or concerns about symptoms that get worse.
• Remind families to call 911 or their local emergency system if they think their child may be having a medical emergency.
• Encourage families to talk with their child’s health care provider about immunizations.

« Go to Infectious Disease Fact Sheets

Last Updated: August 9, 2024