Frequently Asked Questions

Infants and Young Children

• Premature infants
• Very young infants, especially those 6 months and younger
• Children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease
• Children younger than 2 years old with chronic heart disease
• Children with weakened immune systems
• Children who have neuromuscular disorders, including those who have difficulty swallowing or clearing mucus secretions

Older Adults

• Older adults, especially those 65 years and older
• Adults with chronic heart or lung disease
• Adults with weakened immune systems

RSV can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Coughing and sneezing send virus-containing droplets into the air, where they can infect a person who inhales the droplets.

Infection can also result from direct and indirect contact with nasal or oral secretions from infected persons. Direct contact with the virus can occur, for example, by kissing the face of a child with RSV. Indirect contact can occur if the virus gets on an environmental surface, such as a doorknob, that is then touched by other people. Direct and indirect transmission of the virus usually occurs when people touch a contaminated surface and then touch their eyes, mouth, or nose

Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:

• Runny nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Wheezing