Respiratory Syncytial Virus, RSV, is a widespread respiratory virus that infects the lungs and airways. It is a highly contagious illness that can affect individuals of all ages. While RSV often presents with mild, cold-like symptoms in many healthy people, it can lead to more serious conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants and older adults.
Typical Duration
For most healthy individuals, RSV symptoms typically resolve within one to two weeks. While the most severe symptoms often improve within three to five days for adults, a cough can sometimes linger for several weeks.
Infants and young children generally experience RSV symptoms for one to two weeks. For infants, symptoms are frequently most intense between days three and five. Although most children recover within this timeframe, some may experience symptoms for a longer duration, particularly if they have certain underlying health conditions.
Factors Influencing Duration
RSV infection duration and severity vary based on several factors. Age is a key factor; infants under 12 months and older adults face a higher risk of prolonged or severe illness. RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization for infants in the United States.
Underlying health conditions also influence RSV duration. Individuals with chronic lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart conditions may experience a more extended recovery period. People with weakened immune systems can have more persistent symptoms and a longer course of infection. Premature infants are also at an increased risk for severe RSV, which can lead to extended illness.
Symptom Progression and Contagious Period
RSV symptoms usually develop gradually, appearing four to six days after exposure to the virus. Initial signs often resemble a common cold, including a runny nose, congestion, mild cough, sneezing, and sometimes a low-grade fever or sore throat. As the infection progresses, symptoms can worsen, potentially leading to more severe coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
An infected person can spread the virus even before symptoms emerge, typically one to two days prior to onset. Most individuals are contagious for about three to eight days after symptoms begin. However, infants and those with compromised immune systems can remain contagious for a much longer period, sometimes up to four weeks or more, even after their symptoms have subsided. The virus spreads easily through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and can survive for hours on hard surfaces.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most RSV infections are mild and can be managed at home, certain symptoms indicate a need for prompt medical evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child, particularly an infant or someone at high risk, experiences difficulty breathing. This can manifest as short, shallow, or rapid breathing, flaring nostrils, or the skin pulling in between the ribs or under the chest with each breath.
Other warning signs include a bluish tint to the skin, especially around the lips or in the nail beds, which suggests a lack of oxygen. A high fever, signs of dehydration such as reduced urination or lack of tears, and worsening symptoms after initial improvement also warrant medical consultation. For very young infants, irritability, decreased activity, or pauses in breathing are also serious indicators.