What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)?
Posted: Oct 27, 2022 3:16 PM EDT
RSV, Respiratory syncytial virus, is a respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms for most people - but can be serious for infants or older adults.
RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than one year old in the US.
Each year in the US, RSV leads to approximately:
- 2.1 million outpatient (non-hospitalization) visits among children younger than 5 years old.
- 58,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old.
- 177,000 hospitalizations among adults 65 years and older.
- 14,000 deaths among adults 65 years and older.
- 100–300 deaths in children younger than 5 years old.
Click here for more information about RSV from the CDC
Interactive dashboard of RSV hospitalizations (updated weekly)