Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): For health professionals
On this page
- What health professionals need to know about RSV
- Clinical symptoms
- Transmission
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention and control
- Surveillance
What health professionals need to know about RSV
RSV is an enveloped RNA virus. It causes seasonal epidemics of respiratory illness in countries around the world. In Canada, elevated RSV activity generally takes place from late fall to early spring.
RSV is a common illness and the most common cause of lower respiratory tract illness in young children everywhere. Most children will experience RSV infections by the age of 2.
Reinfection with RSV can reoccur throughout life and repeat infections are often less severe.
Primary infection with RSV can present as upper respiratory tract illness, lower respiratory tract disease, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, or tracheobronchitis.
The risk of severe outcomes from RSV infection is higher among:
- infants and young children under the age of 2
- children with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, compromised immune systems or neuromuscular disorders
- adults with chronic lung or heart disease or weakened immune systems
- older adults
In severe cases, RSV requires hospitalization and may be life-threatening. In children, hospitalization rates are highest among children under 1 year old, and especially within the first 2 months of life. In adults, hospitalization is highest in the oldest adults and those with certain chronic medical conditions.
Clinical symptoms
The incubation period of RSV ranges from 2 to 8 days. Common clinical presentations can include:
- rhinorrhea
- coughing
- sneezing
- headache
- fatigue
- fever
- wheezing
- pharyngitis
- bronchiolitis
In infants, the only symptoms of RSV may be decreased activity, difficulty breathing, difficulty feeding and/or irritability.
Severe infection from RSV is more common among infants and young children, immunocompromised individuals and older adults with certain underlying conditions.
Transmission
Humans are the only source of infection. RSV transmission occurs from respiratory particles containing the virus and from contact with contaminated surfaces. A person is infectious for about 8 days on average, with a range of 1 to 21 days. The incubation period is sometimes longer in some infants and people with weakened immune systems.
RSV causes seasonal epidemics. In Canada, the RSV season typically begins in late fall and lasts until spring. Most cases occur December through March.
Diagnosis
In most outpatient cases, the diagnosis is clinical, and specific laboratory testing is not done. Often a person admitted to hospital is tested with a nasopharyngeal swab for RSV.
Treatment
Most healthy children and adults will recover on their own in 1 to 2 weeks. Most treatment for RSV is to address symptoms and provide supportive care.
Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be given to relieve the symptoms associated with RSV, such as fever. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting adequate rest is strongly encouraged.
People with severe RSV may need to be admitted to the hospital for oxygen and supportive care.
Prevention and control
The most effective ways to prevent RSV transmission are to:
- stay home when ill
- wash your hands regularly
- avoid close contact with people who are sick
There are 3 immunization products that are approved to prevent RSV disease in infants.
- Palivizumab/Synagis (AstraZeneca) has been available in Canada for decades and is given monthly to prevent disease.
- Nirsevimab/Beyfortus (Sanofi) is a newly authorized product and 1 dose may protect infants for up to 6 months.
- RSVpreF/Abrysvo (Pfizer) is a newly authorized product that is given during pregnancy to prevent RSV in infants.
These products cannot be used to treat infants who already have RSV disease.
All of the above are passive immunization products, meaning that infants are protected by either directly receiving a monoclonal antibody (palivizumab or nirsevimab) or by transplacental transfer of antibodies during pregnancy (RSVpreF).
For older adults, there are 2 vaccines approved to prevent RSV disease for those 60 years and older.
- RSVpreF/Abrysvo (Pfizer)
- RSVPreF3/Arexvy (GSK)
Consult the following resources for more information:
- National Advisory Committee on Immunization guidance on the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus disease in infants
- National Advisory Committee on Immunization's guidance on the recommended use of palivizumab to reduce complications of RSV infection in infants
- Health advice on nirsevimab (Beyfortus) for RSV prevention in neonates and infants (2023–2024 season) [Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies]
- Routine Practices and Additional Precautions for Preventing the Transmission of Infection in Healthcare Settings Guideline
Surveillance
Canada participates in national and international activities to detect and monitor the spread of RSV. The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains the Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System. This national surveillance system monitors the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses, including RSV every week, year-round.
Find up-to-date information on respiratory virus activity in Canada:
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