Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older children. However, it can cause serious problems in young babies, including pneumonia and severe breathing problems. In rare cases it can lead to death. Premature babies and those with other health problems have the highest risk. A child with RSV may have a fever, stuffy nose, cough and trouble breathing. Tests can tell if your child has the virus.

Nirsevimab for Babies: How the New RSV Protection Works

Nirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody that provides season-long protection against RSV in infants, reducing medically attended infections and hospitalizations. Maternal vaccination and nirsevimab together offer complementary strategies to protect newborns during their highest-risk months.

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Latest Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) News and Research

Early-infancy infection with RSV increases the risk of developing childhood asthma

Belgian scientists from VIB and Ghent University (UGent), together with Danish collaborators, have uncovered compelling evidence that early-infancy infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) significantly increases the risk of developing childhood asthma-especially in children with a family history of allergy or asthma.

29 Nov 2025

Year-round access to RSV immunization may reduce major seasonal outbreaks

Providing year-round access to RSV immunization would minimize the risk of large seasonal outbreaks across the nation, including in both urban and rural areas.

26 Nov 2025

Preparing for the respiratory virus season: A guide for families

As respiratory virus season begins, pediatric experts are preparing for an expected rise in cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which can cause cold-like symptoms in most people but serious illness in infants and older adults.

17 Nov 2025

COVID-19, RSV, and flu vaccines remain safe and effective

The systematic review provides crucial insights into the efficacy and safety of respiratory virus vaccines, supporting evidence-based immunization practices.

3 Nov 2025

Study reveals impact of viral combinations on infant respiratory illness severity

A new study led by researchers at National Jewish Health has revealed that, while a wide range of viruses can cause lower respiratory tract illnesses (LRIs) in infants, certain viruses and viral combinations dramatically increase the risk of severe disease.

24 Oct 2025

A parent's guide to manage pediatric respiratory illnesses during the virus season

As we head deeper into fall and toward the holiday season, your little one may start to exhibit symptoms like a runny nose, cough, or fever.

24 Oct 2025

HEPA purifiers do not fully reduce classroom viral exposure

In a secondary analysis of a study of 200 classrooms, Mass General Brigham researchers found respiratory viral exposures were still high in those with HEPA purifiers, suggesting additional interventions are needed.

10 Oct 2025

RSV vaccines protect two most-at-risk groups from severe illness

The review demonstrates that vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are both safe and effective in protecting groups who are most at risk for serious illness, including older adults and infants.

29 Sep 2025

Soap shortages undermine global hand hygiene efforts

A lack of soap is the most often reported barrier to effective hand hygiene-key to curbing the spread of infection-in shared community spaces, such as households, schools, and public places, finds a systematic review of the available research, published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health.

17 Sep 2025

RSV vaccine slashes hospitalizations in older adults in real-world trial

A large, real-world randomized trial in Denmark found that the RSVpreF vaccine reduced RSV-related hospitalizations in adults aged 60 and over by over 80%. The vaccine also showed protection against broader respiratory illness with a favorable safety profile.

15 Sep 2025

Healthy newborns also face high risk of severe RSV infection

It is not only premature babies and children with underlying diseases who suffer from serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.

9 Sep 2025

Can an allergy spray help prevent COVID-19?

Researchers determine the efficacy and safety of azelastine nasal spray for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy adults.

8 Sep 2025

How effective is the RSV vaccine for older adults?

A single dose of the RSV vaccine offers 58% protection against hospitalization in older adults, but effectiveness varies in immunocompromised individuals.

3 Sep 2025

New guidelines improve care for respiratory infections in leukemia patients

People with leukemia have a weakened immune system due to the disease itself and treatment, which leads to an increased susceptibility to infections.

28 Aug 2025

RSV causes severe outcomes and heart complications in older adults

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a well-known cause of infections in children, but it's understudied in older individuals.

23 Jul 2025

Maternal RSV vaccination linked to sharp drop in infant lung infections

Vaccination of pregnant women has been linked to a drop in newborns being admitted to hospital with a serious lung infection, research suggests.

18 Jul 2025

Light-activated drug discovery identifies broad-spectrum antivirals

UC Santa Barbara researchers and collaborators from campus biotech spinoff Integrated Biosciences, as well as Harvard, MIT and genomics company Illumina Ventures are using optogenetics - the use of light to probe the functions of living tissue - to find compounds to help our bodies more effectively help themselves in times of physiological stress.

15 Jul 2025