RSV symptoms can vary, depending on the person and his or her age. For infants, illness begins most frequently with symptoms that include fever, runny nose, cough, and wheezing. In adults, RSV symptoms are similar to those of the common cold, including runny nose, sore throat, cough, body aches, and other symptoms. Severe symptoms of RSV are more common in elderly people and people who take drugs that suppress the immune system.
An Overview of RSV Symptoms
When a person is infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (
RSV), the symptoms can vary.
For infants, illness begins most frequently with RSV symptoms that include:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Wheezing.
During their first RSV infection, between 25 percent and 40 percent of infants and young children have signs or symptoms of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) or pneumonia, and 0.5 percent to 2 percent require hospitalization. The majority of children hospitalized for an RSV infection are under six months of age. Most children recover from RSV in 8 to 15 days.
RSV can cause repeated infections throughout life. In adults, RSV symptoms are similar to those of the
common cold, including:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Body aches
- Headache
- Fever.
Severe lower respiratory tract disease can occur at any age. If severe RSV symptoms occur, a person can experience:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Inability to get enough oxygen
- A bluish or purplish tinge to skin.
Severe RSV symptoms are more common in children who:
- Have congenital heart disease
- Have bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Take drugs or have conditions that suppress the immune system.
Severe RSV symptoms are also more common in the elderly.
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