What to Know About RSV

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.

Regulators recently approved two vaccines that help prevent RSV in adults 60 and older.
The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 60 talk to their doctor about the individual benefits and risks of the new vaccines.
Older adults with underlying health problems like heart or lung disease or declining immune systems may experience a greater benefit.

A monoclonal antibody treatment to help prevent RSV infections in infants was recently approved.
- Monoclonal antibodies are not vaccines. Instead, they provide a shield of protection by blocking target viruses from entering cells.
- Protection from monoclonal antibodies decreases over time. The current treatment protects against RSV for one season, or about five months.
The CDC recommends this treatment for children ages 0-8 months before their first RSV season.
The treatment is not for children already infected with RSV.
A maternal vaccine to protect newborns from RSV infections is also approved for use in weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, either immediately before or during RSV season.
Most infants will be adequately protected by either the antibody treatment or the material vaccine.