what is rsv virus in adults

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and headache. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV can cause severe infection in some people, including babies 12 months and younger (infants), especially premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system (immunocompromised). Adults over the age of 65 or those with health complications are at higher risk for developing more severe RSV. RSV can sometimes lead to a lung infection or pneumonia, and in severe cases, it can spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing inflammation of the small airway passages entering the lungs, fever, severe cough, wheezing, and rapid breathing or difficulty breathing. Emergency symptoms include shortness of breath, high fever, bluish tint to your skin, wheezing, and worsening cough. If you are at high risk for severe RSV infection, or if you interact with an older adult or someone with a weakened immune system, you should take precautions to avoid spreading it to others.