RSV can be spread through droplets from the nose and mouth, which can be transferred via coughs, sneezes, and close physical contact, like cuddles and kisses.3
An RSV infection can cause common cold-like symptoms.1 Most people will be unaware that they’re infected with RSV, which is why it can easily be spread to others.1,13 RSV can survive on hard surfaces, such as toys, cribs, and utensils, for many hours. It can then spread to babies if they touch these surfaces before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.1,3
Babies often catch RSV in places such as daycare centres or playing areas, as well as from older siblings who have been infected with RSV outside the home, such as at school.3
RSV’s contagious period
A person with RSV disease may be contagious days before developing any symptoms.3
People are typically contagious for 3 to 8 days, but some babies can be contagious for up to 4 weeks, even after symptoms have disappeared.3
RSV isolation period
RSV can live on a wide range of surfaces, both hard and soft.3 However, the virus tends to live longer on hard surfaces like plastic toys than it does on soft surfaces like clothes.3 In general, it survives between 4 and 7 hours on surfaces or objects.15 Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as regularly washing your hands with soap and water, and cleaning surfaces, can help reduce the risk of spreading RSV or other viruses.15
It’s possible for anyone to be a momentary carrier of RSV – in other words, they won’t display signs or symptoms of the illness, but are still able to pass it to someone else.3
Overall, adults in good health are less likely to have symptoms of RSV compared with higher-risk individuals (e.g., babies, elderly patients, and people with weakened immune systems).16
Preparing for RSV Season
What is RSV season?
RSV follows seasonal patterns in most countries in the northern and southern hemispheres, with RSV cases peaking at certain times of the year.17
This period is called the RSV season.18
The RSV season occurs in most countries around the world, but the timing can vary depending on where you live.19
In temperate climates, like Europe or North America, RSV activity typically rises in autumn, peaks during winter, and falls in spring.19 In tropical countries like Singapore, RSV circulates year-round, with peaks at the middle of the year.
RSV season doesn’t always start at the same time every year. It can change because of certain factors, including the weather, in particular in tropical countries.20
Speak to your healthcare provider to learn more about you can prevent RSV.
Footnotes & references
RSV, respiratory syncytial virus.
1. Piedimonte G and Perez MK. Pediatr Rev 2014; 35(12): 519–530.
2. Smyth RL and Breary SP. Encyclopedia of Respiratory Medicine. Bronchiolitis, Elsevier Ltd. 2006.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms of RSV. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/symptoms/. Accessed: September 2024.
4. Demont C et al. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21(1): 730.
5. Sanchez-Luna M et al. Curr Med Res Opin 2016; 32(4): 693‒698.
6. Kobayashi Y et al. Pediatr Int 2021; 64(1): e14957.
7. Hartmann K et al. J Infect Dis 2022; 226(3): 386‒395.
8. Yu J et al. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25(6): 1127‒1135.
9. Thwaites R et al. Eur J Pediatr 2020; 179(5): 791‒799.
10. Arriola C et al. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2020; 9(5): 587–595 (Suppl Appendix).
11. Cleveland Clinic. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). [Online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8282-respiratory-syncytial-virus-in-children-and-adults [Accessed November 2023]
12. Welsh Government. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bronchiolitis. [Online] Available at: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-10/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-and-bronchiolitis-leaflet.pdf [Accessed November 2023]
13. Coultas JA et al. Thorax 2019; 74(10): 986–993.