Not Just for Kids: What to Know About RSV in Adults

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Outbreaks of RSV, also known as respiratory syncytial virus, are fairly common during the colder months. Like the common cold and the flu, RSV is most common during the winter but is very active from fall to early spring, when people spend more time indoors near each other.

This respiratory illness is often talked about in reference to small children because it can be particularly dangerous in kids. Their immune systems haven’t fully developed at such a young age.

Understanding RSV in Adults

While this respiratory illness typically causes symptoms similar to a mild cold, some adults who get RSV can sometimes develop more serious infections, including pneumonia.

Those complications are more likely to develop among older adults and adults with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems. That’s why it is a good idea to steer clear of visiting with grandma and grandpa when you have a child diagnosed with RSV.

While RSV is most often thought of as dangerous for children under age 5, older adults are also more at risk. According to the American Lung Association, up to 160,000 adults ages 65 and older are hospitalized each year with RSV, and up to 10,000 die from the condition or its complications.

Common Signs and Symptoms of RSV in Adults

RSV spreads from person to person when they’re in close contact. You most often pick up illnesses like RSV from someone else’s cough or sneeze or from touching objects that have the virus on them.

After you’ve come in contact with the virus, it can take up to a week before the illness fully develops. If you get RSV, you’ll likely notice cold-like symptoms. Symptoms of RSV can include:

Coughing
Decreased appetite
Fever
Headache
Red eyes
Runny nose
Sneezing
Sore throat
Wheezing

In most cases, these symptoms will remain mild. But in some cases, RSV can worsen conditions you already have, such as asthma, or cause secondary infections like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

Because these complications are possible, it’s important to seek immediate medical care if you begin to develop symptoms of a more serious respiratory infection. Red flag symptoms include shortness of breath, a bluish tint to the skin or a worsening cough.

How RSV in Adults Is Diagnosed

If a medical provider suspects you have RSV, confirming the diagnosis is fairly simple. A rapid RSV test is available to confirm the presence of the respiratory syncytial virus, often within an hour or less.

Along with RSV testing, your provider will also conduct a thorough physical exam, focusing on your symptoms, and may order other lab work. If you’re experiencing a potentially severe case of RSV, imaging scans such as an X-ray or a CT scan may be used to get a good look at your lungs and check for complications.

Understanding the Treatment for RSV in Adults

As long as the symptoms stay mild, RSV can usually be treated using basic at-home care. Like other viruses, RSV cannot be treated using an antibiotic, so the most effective treatment is often a combination of resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for symptoms like a fever or sore throat.

If you have weakened immunity or some other risk factors for severe RSV, be sure to check in with your medical provider when you’re under the weather. Your provider can recommend the best treatment options based on your specific symptoms and overall health. For those with asthma or COPD, your treatment may also include regular doses from an inhaler or a nebulizer.

Those with severe cases of RSV may require hospitalization. During a hospital stay, you’ll receive more intensive treatment, which may include IV fluids to keep you hydrated and a breathing machine or other oxygen supplementation.

What You Can Do to Prevent RSV

Your best defense against severe RSV is to avoid getting the virus in the first place. That can sometimes be easier said than done, though, especially during the winter months.

The good news is that taking some steps to protect your health can help you fend off the illnesses running wild this time of year. Start with some basics for preventing RSV:

Wash your hands thoroughly.

You should wash your hands frequently throughout the day, including when you use the restroom or change a diaper, before preparing or eating food, after blowing your nose or sneezing, and after touching pet food, your pet or pet waste. Wet your hands under running water, then scrub them with soap for at least 20 seconds each time before rinsing and drying them off on a clean towel or paper towel. This video from the World Health Organization demonstrates ideal handwashing guidelines.

Use hand sanitizer in a pinch.

Soap and water are best, but if you don’t have access to running water or soap, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer works. Use the sanitizer in the same way you use soap, rubbing it into all surfaces of your hands for at least 20 seconds. Allow the sanitizer to dry thoroughly.

Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands.

Germs of all kinds can find quick access into the body through your mouth, nose and eyes. Try to avoid touching your face, especially when you’re outside your home.

Clean a bit more often during the cold months.

Take the time to frequently disinfect commonly touched surfaces in your home or office. This includes the doorknobs, light switches and phones, among other hotspots.

Give your immune system a boost.

When your immune system is strong, it can fend off viruses and bacterial infections better. How can you give it a boost? Practice a healthy lifestyle! Aim to exercise regularly, eat a diet filled with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, avoid smoking, limit alcohol consumption, find healthy ways to manage stress and prioritize getting between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.

Get the RSV vaccine.

If you’re 60 or older, talk with your medical provider about whether you’d benefit from the RSV vaccine. The FDA currently licenses three single-dose RSV vaccines for older adults. Like other vaccines, these are designed to protect you from serious illness.

In addition to these steps, try to avoid close contact with anyone who’s sick. When that’s not possible, be sure you’re practicing the hygiene habits outlined above.