10/27/2025
As we enter the annual cold & flu season, here’s a great reminder about RSV.
What is RSV?
RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is one of the many viruses that cause respiratory illness. It spreads like a cold virus from person to person. It enters the body through the nose or eyes, usually from contact with infected saliva, mucus or nasal discharge.
These infections usually occur in the late fall through early spring months. The timing can vary in some parts of the country.
RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization in children under age 1 year. Two to three out of every 100 infants in the US with RSV infection may require a hospital stay. Those babies may need oxygen to help with breathing or (intravenous) IV fluids if they are not eating or drinking.
An important piece of information to note is that RSV may not cause any significant or severe symptoms in healthy adults or older children with developed and healthy immune systems. However, in infants and young children, the damage can be severe and very scary.
Please take this into account when planning your holiday trips and visits around family members with babies and young children.
Below, is a list of common RSV symptoms to watch for as provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
For more information, visit our website at www.dktb.org or visit https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx
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