RSV poses a threat to long term care (LTC) residents, and its symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19 and influenza (flu). RSV is more common during the fall and winter months, similar to flu.

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is more dangerous for older adults due to their age, weakened immune systems, and other underlying health conditions. RSV can lead to lung infections, pneumonia, and worsening of other conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

The most important thing providers can do is encourage vaccination among residents for RSV and follow CDC guidance in preventing and managing outbreaks in the facility.

The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine if you are aged 75 or older, or if you are aged 60 to 74 and have a risk factor for severe RSV disease, including living in a LTC facility.

• The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning if you received the RSV vaccine last year, you do not need to get it again this year. 
• Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall. This timing ensures you’re protected by the time RSV starts to spread in your community and ensures you get maximum protection during the winter months. 

RSV Symptoms: According to the CDC, people infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six days after getting infected.

• Symptoms of RSV infection usually include a runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. 

Diagnosis and treatment: Unlike flu or COVID-19, antiviral treatment is not recommended for RSV. This is one of the reasons that getting vaccinated is so important in reducing the severity of an RSV infection. 

• Since antiviral treatment is not available, many providers do not test patients for RSV. However, molecular and antigen diagnostic tests do exist.
• The CDC recommends that providers consider testing for RSV when residents with acute respiratory illness test negative for both influenza and COVID-19. 

Infection control practices: When residents have any symptoms, facilities should refer to CDC’s Infection Control Basics and apply Transmission Based Precautions. 

Additional resources

• CDC Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit
• GetVaccinated.us
• Risk Less, Do More