Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common and very contagious respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. RSV infection can happen at any age but can be more serious in young children and older adults with underlying health conditions such as asthma, chronic heart or lung disease and those with weakened immune systems.
RSV usually starts spreading in the fall and peaks in the winter months.
Symptoms, Testing & Treatment
Symptoms
RSV symptoms usually happen within four to six days after getting infected and are similar to cold, flu or COVID-19, including:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
Very young infants may only experience irritability, decreased activity, and breathing problems.
While most RSV symptoms will go away within a week, individuals should seek medical attention if they are not drinking enough fluids or experience worsening symptoms.
Anyone who has trouble breathing should seek immediate medical attention.
Testing
Symptoms of RSV are not specific and can overlap with other respiratory infections. Most people with mild illness will not need to get tested, but people admitted to the hospital may have a nose swab done to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Most people who get RSV recover on their own. RSV is a virus and antibiotics will not help. Antiviral medication is not routinely recommended to fight infections. However, RSV can cause severe illness in some people and medical attention and supportive treatment may be needed.
How to manage symptoms of RSV at home:
- Reduce fever and pain with over-the-counter reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not give aspirin to children
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids)
- Consult with a health care provider before giving your child over-the-counter cough and cold medicines
For additional information for parents on how to manage their child’s symptoms and when to seek medical attention, visit the Ministry of Health’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus web page.
If you have questions about your illness and you don’t start to feel better after a few days, or your symptoms get worse, call your health care provider or 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) to talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls to 811 do not require you to provide your OHIP number; all information is free, secure, and confidential.
How RSV Spreads
RSV is very contagious. It spreads easily from person to person through coughing or sneezing. The virus can also spread by touching a surface or object (a door handle or countertop) that has the virus on it and then touching one’s own mouth, nose, or eyes before washing hands.
People infected with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of being sick. However, some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus even after their symptoms have resolved, for as long as four weeks.
You can help stop the spread of RSV by:
- Staying home if you feel sick
- Cleaning your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
- Wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask in crowded indoor settings
- Covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your shirt sleeve, not your hands
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
- Getting an RSV vaccine if you are eligible (more information for RSV vaccine for 60 years of age and older is outlined in the next section)
RSV Vaccine for 60 years of age and older
Adults 60 years of age and older
Arexvy is a new vaccine recently approved by Health Canada to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in people 60 and older.
The Ontario Ministry of Health has introduced a publicly funded vaccination program for eligible people 60 and older living in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, and some retirement homes and recently expanded eligibility for people 60 and older who are:
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Patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC)
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Receiving hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
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Solid organ or Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC) transplant recipients
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Experiencing homelessness
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Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
Anyone 60 or older and not eligible for the publicly funded vaccine can speak to their health care provider about receiving the RSV vaccine through private purchase. If you are eligible for a publicly funded dose of Arexvy, please get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Arexvy is given as a single dose. A 14-day period is recommended between receiving Arexvy and another vaccine, such as COVID-19 or the flu vaccine.
Side Effects & Risks
RSV vaccinations may cause some side effects which, in most cases, are mild and last only a few days. Common side effects of RSV vaccination may include:
- Pain, redness, and swelling where the needle was given
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Muscle or joint pain
Swelling of lymph nodes and allergic reaction such as rash, nausea, or stomach pain is uncommon. Serious side effects from the vaccine are rare.
Please inform your health care professional or call York Region Public Health at 1-877-464-9675 if you experience a serious side effect following immunization.
Speak to your Health Care Provider
Always tell your health care provider if you have allergies or had side effects from another vaccine in the past. You should wait for the vaccine if you are ill or have a fever. Check with your health care provider to determine if the RSV vaccine is right for you.
Health care providers can now order RSV vaccines for eligible clients 60 years and older through York Region Public Health. RSV vaccine information for health care providers is available at york.ca/VaccineInventory