Older adults are at greater risk than young adults for serious complications from RSV because our immune systems weakens when we are older. There is no vaccine to prevent RSV infection yet, but scientists are working hard to develop one.
RSV symptoms peak around day 5 of the illness and often improve at 7–10 days. However, the cough may linger for about 4 weeks due to the slow recovery of the ciliated cells.
Symptoms start about 2 to 5 days after contact with the virus. The early phase of RSV in babies and young children is often mild, like a cold. In children younger than age 3, the illness may move into the lungs and cause coughing and wheezing. In some children, the infection turns to a severe respiratory disease.
How long does RSV last? People with mild RSV may have symptoms for 3-8 days, but the virus can linger for several weeks. “A mild cough can linger for a long time, four to eight weeks at times, and can be normal,” Payden said.
RSV treatment in adults is supportive, including antipyretics, supplemental oxygen, and intravenous fluids as needed. 31 Inhaled or systemic corticosteroids and bronchodilators may be used for elderly patients or patients with preexisting pulmonary conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD) with acute wheezing.
RSV symptoms are typically at their worst on days 3 through 5 of illness.
Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, though researchers are working to develop vaccines and antivirals (medicines that fight viruses).
In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms. These may include: Congested or runny nose. Dry cough.
Survival rate of RSV in infants In healthy children, the reported mortality rate is about 0.5 to 1.7 percent. In children with suppressed immunity, the mortality rate is higher (about 60 percent).
RSV Transmission People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.
Most of the time, viruses cause upper respiratory infections. Viruses don't respond to antibiotics. You can most likely treat the symptoms at home through pain relievers, rest and drinking fluids. If you have a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, you'll take antibiotics.
There are currently only two drugs approved for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody for the prevention of RSV in high-risk children and ribavirin is approved for treatment of severe RSV disease, however its effectiveness in improving outcomes is questionable.