Yes, RSV is highly contagious — particularly during the three- to seven-day period a person has symptoms. Some infants and people with weakened immune systems may remain contagious for as long as four weeks.

Is RSV a rare disease?

Key Facts. RSV is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms in children and adults. The peak season for RSV infection in the United States is fall through spring. Infants are a high-risk group, with about 5% to 20% requiring hospitalization, and 25% to 40% developing complications like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

Infections with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rotavirus comprise the dominant part of pediatric infectious morbidity each year [1,2]. Both infections are also associated with a considerable mortality on a worldwide basis [3,4]. Therefore, both infections are under research for possible means of prevention [5].

What is the survival rate of RSV?

Even in children hospitalized with RSV infection, mortality is less than 1%, and fewer than 500 deaths per year are attributed to RSV in the United States.

RSV Treatments
Remove sticky nasal fluids with a bulb syringe and saline drops.Use a cool-mist vaporizer to keep the air moist and make breathing easier.Give your little one fluids in small amounts throughout the day.Use non-aspirin fever-reducers such as acetaminophen.