People with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. However, some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for 4 weeks or longer, even after they stop showing symptoms. Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school or childcare centers. They can then transmit the virus to other household and family members.

RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces, such as tables and crib rails. It typically lives on soft surfaces, such as tissues and hands, for shorter amounts of time.

How to prevent spread

Everyone can take actions to help reduce the spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses.

• Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Take steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
• Stay home and away from others when you are sick.

You can also use additional tools like masks, physical distancing, and testing.

When is RSV season?

In most regions of the United States and other areas with similar climates, RSV season generally starts during fall and peaks in the winter. The timing and severity of RSV season in a given community can vary from year to year.

Over the course of each fall and winter respiratory virus season, RSV reaches all areas of the continental United States. For these reasons, it is important to be aware of local RSV activity in your area.