RSV is a common, highly contagious respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs, frequently causing lung and airway infections. While RSV can affect people of all ages, it is particularly common among infants and young children, with nearly all children experiencing an RSV infection by their second birthday. The virus typically circulates seasonally, with outbreaks often occurring during the fall and winter.
How RSV Spreads
RSV primarily spreads through large respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on the eyes, nose, or mouth of nearby individuals. The virus can also transmit through direct contact, such as kissing a child with RSV, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s own face. RSV can remain infectious on hard surfaces for several hours and on hands for a shorter period.
While RSV spreads via droplets, it is not considered airborne like viruses such as measles or tuberculosis. Droplets are larger particles that typically travel a short distance, generally up to six feet, before falling to surfaces. In contrast, true airborne transmission involves smaller particles, known as aerosols or droplet nuclei, which can remain suspended in the air for longer durations and travel over greater distances. Although some studies have detected RSV in aerosolized particles, current evidence does not definitively show effective spread through this airborne route over long distances. Direct contact and large respiratory droplets remain the primary modes of transmission.
Understanding Infection Control Precautions
Infection control precautions prevent the spread of infectious diseases and are categorized by transmission routes. Standard Precautions are the fundamental level of infection control, applied to all patient care. They include hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, gowns, and masks when anticipating contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes.
For RSV, healthcare settings typically implement Standard Precautions with Droplet Precautions. Droplet Precautions are used for diseases transmitted by large respiratory droplets that do not remain suspended in the air over long distances. These generally involve wearing a surgical mask when working within three to six feet of an infected individual. Patients on Droplet Precautions may also be placed in a private room, or cohorted with other patients having the same infection, to limit spread. Airborne Precautions, conversely, are reserved for highly transmissible diseases spread by small airborne particles that can travel widely. These require specialized ventilation systems, such as negative pressure rooms, and the use of N95 respirators for healthcare personnel. Examples include measles and tuberculosis.
Everyday Prevention of RSV
Preventing RSV spread involves practical hygiene and behavioral practices. Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is highly effective. If soap and water are unavailable, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used. Avoiding touching the face, particularly the eyes, nose, and mouth, helps prevent the virus from entering the body after contact with contaminated surfaces or droplets.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow, disposing of used tissues immediately. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops, and toys, can reduce the presence of the virus in the environment. Avoiding close contact with sick individuals and staying home when experiencing symptoms of illness are crucial to limit transmission. Vaccination provides an additional layer of protection for eligible groups, including infants, pregnant individuals, and older adults.