Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Fact Sheet PDF 13
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RSV is the most common cause of respiratory illnesses,
such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, in children under 1 year of age.
Most children are infected at least once by the age of
two. Re-infection can occur and cause respiratory tract illness
throughout life.
During their first RSV infection, between 25% and 40% of young children have signs or symptoms of bronchiolitis or
pneumonia, and 0.5% to 2% require hospitalization.
RSV occurs more frequently during the winter months, similar to
other respiratory illness (eg. influenza (or flu), and only affects
humans.
RSV is a major cause of lower respiratory tract illness
in young children, in all parts of the country, regardless of climate. In
Colorado, the largest numbers of cases and outbreaks occur in the winter
(January to March).
There is no routine immunization for RSV.
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