What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus, otherwise known as RSV, is a virus that typically spreads during flu season. RSV can be serious, as it is the single most common cause of pneumonia in infants.
How are RSV and flu similar?
- Both viruses affect children and older adults
- Both viruses have similar symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and fever
- Both viruses can be especially dangerous for people with asthma
- Both viruses are spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes
How are RSV and flu different
- RSV is more common among children – almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday
- Flu vaccination can be given every year starting at age six months, but there is no vaccine for RSV
- Flu treatments are available through antiviral medications, but there is no specific medicine to treat RSV
- Flu affects people of all ages, not just children and older adults
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/influenza-and-rsv-how-suspect-diagnose-treat
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rsv-vs-flu-vs-pneumonia-sorting-out-your-childs-fever-and-cough/