RSV
Based on CDC and WHO guidance, checked against those sources on Oct 12, 2026. Educational information only — not a diagnosis or a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional.
1 · Prevention
- Ask a healthcare professional about RSV immunization: options exist for babies (a vaccine during pregnancy or an antibody shot for the infant) and for older adults and some adults at increased risk.
- Cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often, and avoid close contact (such as kissing babies) when you are sick.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces, especially around infants.
Vaccines & preventive medicines
- RSV vaccines and infant antibody products are available in many countries. Eligibility depends on age, pregnancy timing and health conditions — a healthcare professional can advise.
2 · Possible exposure
- Watch for symptoms over the next week (they usually start 4–6 days after infection).
- Keep away from babies and older or immunocompromised people if you develop cold symptoms.
- Contact a healthcare professional if an exposed infant or high-risk adult develops breathing difficulties.
3 · Symptoms or illness
- Stay home and away from others (including people you live with, where possible) while you are sick.
- You can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms are getting better overall and you have not had a fever without using fever-reducing medicine.
- For the next 5 days after that, take added precautions: wear a well-fitting mask around others, keep distance, wash hands often, improve ventilation, and consider testing.
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Manage fever and pain with over-the-counter medicines suitable for the person's age (never give aspirin to children).
Protect family & others
- Cover coughs and sneezes; wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Open windows or use air filtration to bring in cleaner air when someone is sick at home.
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others while you have symptoms or during the added-precautions period.
- Keep extra distance from people at higher risk of severe illness (older adults, babies, pregnant people, people with weakened immune systems).
- Follow the stay-home and added-precautions steps above.
- Keep sick children home from childcare until they meet the return-to-activities criteria.
Groups at higher risk of severe illness
- Premature infants and babies younger than 6 months
- Children with chronic lung or heart disease, weakened immune systems, neuromuscular disorders or severe cystic fibrosis
- American Indian and Alaska Native children
- Adults 75 and older, and adults 50–74 with certain chronic conditions
- Residents of nursing homes