RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a virus that very often causes respiratory tract infections – from "colds" to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The greatest risk of severe course concerns infants as well as seniors and people with chronic diseases.
What causes the disease: RSV virus.
How infection occurs: mainly by airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing, speaking) and by contact with secretions and contaminated surfaces, and then touching the eyes/nose/mouth.
Who is the source of the pathogen: an infected person (also just before symptoms appear). Infectivity usually lasts a few days, but in infants and people with weakened immunity, it can be extended.
Incubation period: symptoms most often appear after 4–6 days, and the incubation range can be 2–8 days.
Who is most at risk: infants (almost every child undergoes RSV by age 2), people 60+, and also adults with lung/heart diseases and immune deficiencies.
2. Symptoms of RSV
In most people, RSV gives symptoms similar to a cold, which appear gradually (not necessarily all at once):
runny/stuffy nose, cough, sneezing, fever, loss of appetite, sometimes wheezing.
In infants, symptoms may be less "catarrhal" and more general: irritability, less activity, breathing problems.
Possible complications: bronchiolitis and pneumonia (especially in infants and seniors) and more severe course in people with comorbidities.
When to urgently see a doctor / go to ER:
increasing shortness of breath, "pulling in" of intercostal spaces, rapid breathing, bluing of lips/skin, apnea in infants, clear weakness or dehydration (few wet diapers/lack of drinking), high fever and deterioration of condition despite symptomatic treatment.
3. Where does RSV occur?
RSV occurs all over the world.
In temperate climates (including Poland), cases are seasonal – usually from autumn to spring, with a frequent peak in January–February.
In the tropics, seasonality can be different and may be associated, for example, with the rainy season.
For travelers: the information is particularly important for people planning trips with infants/seniors or for chronically ill people – RSV is not "exotic", but common.
4. How to protect yourself against RSV?
A. General prevention
frequent hand washing and avoiding touching the face,
ventilating rooms, limiting contact with symptomatic persons,
disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (RSV can persist on surfaces for many hours),
in the infectious season: considering a mask in crowded places (especially when in contact with an infant/senior).
B. Vaccination
In the EU (including Poland), vaccines for adults are available, and one of them also has an indication for vaccination of pregnant women to protect the infant:
Abrysvo (Pfizer) – protein (subunit) vaccine against RSV.
For whom: persons ≥18 years old (protection against lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV) and pregnant women to protect the child from birth to 6 months of age.
Schedule: 1 dose intramuscularly.
Pregnancy: administration between the 24th and 36th week.
Booster doses / duration of protection: in practice depends on national recommendations and current seasonal recommendations (vaccination programs may change).
Arexvy (GSK) – protein vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted).
For whom: adults ≥60 years old and persons 50–59 years old with increased risk of severe RSV.
Schedule: in practice, it is a single-dose vaccination according to national recommendations (regarding possible repetitions – according to current guidelines).
5. Summary
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually gives "cold-like" symptoms, but in infants, seniors, and people with chronic diseases, it can lead to dangerous lower respiratory tract infections and hospitalization. It is particularly worth considering vaccination before the autumn-winter season, and in pregnant women – in the 24–36 week window, to pass protection to the child for the first months of life.