According to the CDC, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very contagious virus that can lead to serious respiratory illness for infants.1 Together, with caregivers and families, we'll rally together using valuable information that helps to raise awareness about what RSV is, as well as its symptoms and impact.
RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants under 12 months.2
According to a study conducted between 1997 and 2000.
According to the CDC, RSV causes a variety of symptoms depending on severity.5 Symptoms of RSV can include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing.5
Let’s Rally Against RSV by taking control and doing our part. Help protect ALL infants from RSV by frequent hand washing, disinfecting surfaces and toys. If you have cold-like symptoms, avoid kissing and touching babies with unwashed hands as well as sharing utensils. Avoid close contact with people who are ill.6
Many people understand the threat that influenza (the flu) poses to infants, however, less are aware of the threat of RSV. See below to learn more about how RSV compares to the flu:
According to a US study that took place from 1993-2008.
Although not common in the US, according to CDC estimates, used in a study conducted from 1990-1999, RSV causes 3.1 deaths per 100,000 infants younger than 1 year, compared to 0.3 from the flu.
According to a study conducted in 2006 – 2010 of children enrolled with acute respiratory illness, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for RSV in 2,927 cases and positive for flu in 594 cases.
