Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) Health and Safety
This website will be updated with relevant guidance regarding Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV).
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RSV Health & Safety
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in child younger than 1 year of age. More information can be found here.
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. More information can be found here.
Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. Call your healthcare professional if you or your child are having difficult breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms.
There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, though researchers are working to develop vaccines and antivirals (medicines that fight viruses). More information can be found here.
RSV can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and droplets from a cough or sneeze enter your eyes, nose or mouth. RSV can also spread if you touch a surface that has the virus on it and then touch your face before washing your hands. 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. In addition, RSV spreads through direct contact with the virus, such as kissing the face of a child with RSV.
People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms.
More information can be found here.
If you have cold-like/RSV-like symptoms you should:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid close contact and avoid sharing cups and utensils with others
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.
Ideally, people with cold-like symptoms should not interact with children at high risk for severe RSV disease, including premature infants, children younger than 2 years of age with chronic lung or heart conditions, and children with weakened immune systems. If this is not possible, they should carefully follow the prevention steps mentioned above and wash their hands before interacting with such children. They should also refrain from kissing high-risk children while they have cold-like symptoms.
More information can be found here.
Most people who get an RSV infection will have mild illness and will recover in a week or two. Some people, however, are more likely to develop severe RSV infection and may need to be hospitalized. Examples of severe infections include bronchiolitis (an inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia. Infants and older adults are more likely to get serious complications if they get sick with RSV.
People at highest risk for severe disease include:
- Premature infants
- Young children with congenital (from birth) heart or chronic lung disease
- Young children with compromised (weakened) immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment
- Adults with compromised immune systems
- Older adults, especially those with underlying heart or lung disease
More information can be found here.
Students should visit the Student Health Center for testing. Faculty, staff or postdocs can visit their primary care doctor, a VUMC clinic, or Occupational Health for testing. Individuals should get tested if they have symptoms and should shelter in place/remain at home to minimize exposure to others until they have their test results.