Think RSV shots are just for kids or older adults? Think again

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is one of those upper respiratory viruses that can turn winter into a season of coughing and sneezing. RSV typically emerges in the fall and peaks in winter. Infections spread easily through coughs, sneezes, touching contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or elevator buttons, and even close contact, such as kissing a grandchild who has the infection. 

RSV was once thought of primarily as an early childhood infection, affecting kids in daycares and schools. But it can also prove dangerous for older adults, especially those age 75 and older. Each year, RSV sends up to 160,000 older adults to the hospital, and some of those cases are fatal. But the truth is, RSV can impact anyone, at any age. 

The consequences of RSV can be serious, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and manage your symptoms if you do contract it. Here’s what you need to know. 

Ask your doctor about the RSV vaccine 

A vaccine is available to help protect against RSV. If you are at risk of severe infection, you may be eligible for this vaccine. Currently, the RSV vaccine only requires one dose. 

So, who qualifies?  

• Adults ages 60 to 74 who:  
  • Have chronic heart or lung disease (including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) 
  • Have chronic health conditions, such as kidney disease 
  • Have a weakened immune system 
  • Live in a nursing home or long-term care facility 
  • Live with certain other medical conditions, such as severe obesity or diabetes 
• Adults ages 75 and older

Practice healthy hygiene habits 

The same hygiene practices that protect you from viruses such as the common cold or flu can also help safeguard against RSV, says Lawrence L. Livornese, Jr., M.D., an infectious disease doctor at Main Line Health in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. “Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, and avoid others when you’re sick, to help protect them,” he advises. 

While there aren’t specific medications you can take to fight off RSV once you have it, over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms such as fever and pain, and cough medicines can help manage a persistent cough, he says. Ask your doctor about what medications are right for you. 

Watch for red-flag symptoms 

RSV typically causes symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and fever, which can easily be mistaken for the common cold. For most people, these symptoms remain mild and subside within a week or two. But symptoms can sometimes worsen. 

If you have trouble breathing, can’t drink enough fluids, or notice your symptoms getting worse, seek emergency care, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“At any point where you can’t take care of yourself, like eating and drinking, those are signs that you have something more than a mild upper respiratory infection, and that warrants an evaluation,” says Dr. Livornese. 

Take care of your health 

One of the best defenses against severe RSV is maintaining your overall health. That way, if you do get sick, your body is better able to fight off the infection. 

“It’s important to make sure that your chronic illnesses are well-controlled, because that’s what makes you more vulnerable to severe RSV,” says Delana Wardlaw, M.D., a family medicine doctor associated with Fair Hill Community Physicians, part of Temple Health in Philadelphia. She advises immunocompromised or other at-risk patients to take their medications as prescribed, stay up to date with checkups, and contact their physician’s office if they develop symptoms of RSV.