What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes an illness that affects the airway and lungs, especially in babies and young children.
RSV often leads to cold-like symptoms and is the most common cause of a chest infection called bronchiolitis. Babies and young children often have mild illness from RSV and recover quickly. However, some may develop a severe infection that leads to hospitalization and can be life-threatening. Almost all children get RSV by age two, and it is the main reason children in this age group are hospitalized. RSV spreads easily and is most active from late fall to early spring. You and your child can get RSV by having direct contact with a person or surface infected with RSV. You can also get it by being around someone infected by RSV who is coughing or sneezing.