It feels like everyone you know has been sick lately, and as we gathered for the holidays that will no doubt increase. Is it the flu, COVID-19, or is it RSV? Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most healthy people recover without any issues but RSV can be serious, particularly for infants and seniors. RSV is the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:
• Runny nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties. Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday. However, repeat infections may occur throughout life, and people of any age can be infected.

People who are infected with RSV are usually contagious for about 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before symptoms start. However infants and people with weakened immune systems, may continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks. RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. It typically lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time.

People at highest risk for severe disease include:
• Premature infants
• Young children with heart or chronic lung disease
• Young children with compromised immune systems
• Children with neuromuscular disorders
• Adults with compromised immune systems
• Older adults with underlying heart or lung disease

People who are experiencing cold-like symptoms should avoid contact with immunocompromised people and not interact with children at high risk for severe RSV disease. They should especially refrain from kissing high-risk children while they have cold-like symptoms.

There are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of RSV. If you are experiencing cold-like symptoms you should
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others
• Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices

How do I know if I have COVID-19, Flu, or RSV? We put together a chart for you to compare symptoms. The quantity of symptoms a person has can vary. These are just the most commonly associated symptoms.

Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Vaccines are available to protect older and immunocompromised adults from severe RSV. Vaccines for pregnant women or monoclonal antibody products are available to protect infants and young children from severe RSV. Most people who get an RSV infection will have mild illness and will recover in a week or two. It is important to monitor for symptoms and keep children and immunocompromised adults safe.

For the latest information about RSV please visit www.cdc.gov/rsv