what is rsv

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. It causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people, but it can be serious, especially for infants, older adults, and individuals with heart and lung disease or a weak immune system. Symptoms of RSV infection include a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. Most children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday. RSV can cause severe infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and it is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age