Respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Young children and older adults, especially those with certain underlying health conditions, are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV.
Individual cases of RSV are not reportable in Florida. All outbreaks of RSV are reportable from health care providers.
Florida’s RSV season is longer than the rest of the nation and has distinct regional patterns. For this reason, Florida is broken up into five RSV regions, each with their own RSV season.
Florida’s RSV Season, by Region
| Region | Month Range |
|---|---|
| Northwest | October-April |
| North | September-March |
| Central | August-March |
| Southeast | January-December |
| Southwest | September-April |
Transmission
RSV can spread when:
- A person who has RSV coughs or sneezes near you
- You get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose, or mouth
- You have direct contact with the virus, 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
Anyone 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. 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 members of the family.
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.
People with RSV are usually contagious for 3-8 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.
Symptoms
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4-6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.
In very young infants with RSV, their only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
Individuals At-Risk for Severe Illness
RSV does not usually cause severe illness in healthy adults and children. However, some people with RSV infection, especially infants younger than 6 months of age and adults who are older or have certain risk factors, can become very sick and may need to be hospitalized.
RSV can also cause more severe illness such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs). It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age.
Prevention
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