ABOUT
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. RSV is the primary cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under the age of one. Infants and adults who are older or have certain risk factors are more likely to develop severe RSV illness and need hospitalization.
CDC recommends immunizations to protect infants, some young children, and adults who are older or have certain risk factors that increase the risk for severe RSV illness. RSV symptoms are not specific, which makes it difficult to distinguish RSV from the common cold or other respiratory viruses (like the flu or COVID-19). RSV spreads in the fall and winter along with other respiratory viruses. It usually peaks in December and January. For more information on RSV in West Virginia, please visit the Pan-Respiratory Dashboard at Breathe Easy Dashboard.
When is RSV Season?
In most regions of the United States and other areas with similar climates, RSV season generally starts during fall and peaks in the winter. The timing and severity of RSV season in a given community can vary from year to year. In the 2025-2026 season, the RSV season started in April/May. Over the course of each fall and winter respiratory virus season, RSV reaches all areas of the continental United States. For these reasons, it is important to be aware of local RSV activity in your area.
CDC monitors RSV activity in the United States. You can check CDC's Respiratory Illness Data Channel to see RSV activity in your area.
TRANSMISSION
People with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. However, some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for 4 weeks or longer, even after they stop showing symptoms. Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school or childcare centers. They can then transmit the virus to other household and family members.
RSV can spread when:
- A person who has RSV coughs or sneezes near you.
- Droplets from a cough or sneeze that contain the virus get in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- You have direct contact with someone with RSV, like kissing the face of a child with RSV.
- You touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands.
People of any age can get RSV, but typically most people get RSV for the first time as an infant or toddler. Nearly all children will get RSV before their second birthday. However, repeat infections may occur throughout life.
PREVENTION
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. Everyone can take actions to help reduce the spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses. Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Take steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Stay home and away from others when you are sick and you can also use additional tools like masks, physical distancing, and testing.
Vaccination
- RSV vaccines are recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and adults ages 50 – 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV.
- There are two immunizations recommended to protect infants from severe RSV: a maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer's Abrysvo) given during pregnancy or an infant RSV antibody given to infants after birth.
- For more information on RSV vaccines please see the CDC's Immunization Fact Sheet on RSV.
COMMUNITY
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
Reporting
- Laboratories participating in the WVHIN shall report laboratory evidence of acute infection through electronic laboratory reporting.
- All RSV-related deaths in individuals ≤ 5 years of age are to be reported within ONE WEEK to the the local health department.
