RSV Risk Factors

RSV Disease

There are several risk factors for severe RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infections that, in some cases, need to be treated by hospitalization. The following risk factors increase a person's chance of developing RSV:

Premature birth (35 weeks or earlier)
Low birth weight
History of asthma
Attending childcare or daycare
Congenital heart disease
Certain lung diseases, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Drugs or conditions that suppress the immune system
Household crowding (four or more children in the home)
Exposure to tobacco smoke
Being elderly.