Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Spread, prevention and risks

How RSV spreads

RSV is very contagious. It can spread easily from person to person even before symptoms are present.

You can get RSV if:

you breathe in the infectious particles
the infectious particles or secretions (like mucous or saliva) come into direct contact with your eyes, nose or mouth
- for example, when someone with RSV coughs or sneezes on you
you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands after you’ve touched infectious particles or secretions on:
- a contaminated surface or object
- another person (for example, through a handshake)

Preventing RSV

Vaccination

Infants

There are 2 options to prevent RSV disease in infants:

Vaccinating a pregnant person can protect the infant after birth
Giving an injection of a monoclonal antibody to the infant after birth can also protect them
- Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that recognize specific parts of the virus to help prevent the virus from causing severe illness

Usually only one option is needed. Talk to your health care provider about which option is best for your baby. Neither option can be used to treat infants who already have RSV.

Older adults

There are vaccines to prevent RSV disease in older adults, particularly for those who are at higher risk of severe RSV disease. These individuals include those:

75 years of age and older
who have medical conditions, such as:
- asthma
- diabetes
- heart disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- immune compromising conditions
living in long-term care

Younger adults

The vaccines used for older adults can also be used for younger adults at high risk of severe RSV infection due to chronic medical conditions. The availability of these vaccines can vary depending on where you live. Ask your health care provider about the options available to you and your family.

Personal protective measures

You can reduce your risk of getting or spreading RSV by:

staying home when you’re sick
wearing a well-fitting respirator or mask
- wearing a mask is recommended if you have symptoms and must:
  - be around others
  - enter a public setting
  - seek medical care
- children under the age of 2 should not wear masks
- children between the ages of 2 and 5 may be able to wear a mask with supervision if they can:
  - tolerate it
  - put the mask on and take it off themselves
washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- if unavailable, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol and rub your hands together for 20 seconds or until dry
covering your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your elbow instead of your hand
avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands
cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and objects regularly

Learn more about:

Risks of getting RSV

RSV is a common seasonal viral infection that circulates from the fall to spring months. Different regions in Canada have different timing and lengths of the RSV season.

Learn more:

Symptoms of RSV

Who is most at risk

Some people are at a higher risk of serious complications from RSV infections, such as:

infants, especially:
- premature infants or infants under 6 months of age
- those who may have difficulty accessing care for severe RSV because:
  - of extended travel distances or limited transportation options and/or
  - whose risk is increased by long-standing social and structural factors, such as those experienced by some First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities
children with chronic lung disease
children with heart disease present from birth (congenital heart disease)
children with muscle and nerve conditions that make it hard to clear mucus from their lungs
children or adults with weakened immune systems
adults with heart or lung disease
older adults

Recommendations for travellers

RSV is common around the world.

To prevent getting an RSV infection when travelling, use personal protective measures. Examples include:

wearing a well-fitting respirator or mask in situations where respiratory illnesses are likely to spread
- higher-risk settings include crowded places like airports or train stations as these settings have an increased risk of transmission
cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available
coughing and sneezing into a tissue or your elbow instead of your hands

Additional advice is available on the measures you can use to protect yourself and your family.

Respiratory infectious diseases: Reduce your risk with personal protective measures

Getting an RSV vaccine if you’re eligible can also help protect against severe disease.