Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Spread, prevention and risks
On this page
- How RSV spreads
- Preventing RSV
- Risks of getting RSV
- Who is most at risk
- Recommendations for travellers
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.
Adults
There are vaccines to prevent RSV disease in adults, particularly for those who are at higher risk of severe RSV disease. These individuals include those:
- 75 years of age and older
- 65 to 74 years of age who have medical conditions, such as:
- asthma
- diabetes
- heart disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- 18 years of age and older who:
- are receiving dialysis
- have had a lung transplant
- have had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant in the previous 2 years or who remain on immunosuppression
- this procedure replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy blood‑forming stem cells
- are on home oxygen or require chronic oxygen therapy regardless of living at home or elsewhere
- are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
Younger adults at high risk of severe RSV infection due to chronic medical conditions should consult their health care provider. They’ll determine if an RSV vaccine is recommended.
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
- wearing a mask is recommended if you have symptoms and must:
- 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:
- Respiratory infectious diseases: Mask use for reducing the spread
- Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
- Break the chain of infection: Respiratory infectious diseases (infographic)
- Respiratory infectious diseases: Reduce your risk with personal protective measures
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:
Who is most at risk
People at higher risk of developing severe illness include:
- infants, especially:
- premature infants or young 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
- infants and children with chronic medical conditions, such as:
- lung disease
- heart disease present from birth (congenital heart disease)
- muscle and nerve conditions that make it hard to clear mucus from their lungs
- older adults
- adults who have certain chronic medical conditions, such as:
- asthma
- diabetes
- heart disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- those who are immunocompromised
- those who live in long-term care or other chronic care facilities
Although RSV usually causes mild illness, it sometimes presents as a severe infection of the lower respiratory tract requiring hospitalization. Admission to the intensive care unit may be needed in very rare cases.
Learn more:
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.
Learn more: