Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that’s highly contagious, especially during the fall and winter. Almost all children will get RSV at least once before they turn 2 years old.

Healthy individuals typically experience mild, cold-like symptoms (runny nose, cough, sneezing) that are treatable at home, but the virus can be life-threatening for infants, older adults and others who may be at a greater risk of developing severe illness. The best way for these groups to protect against RSV is to get an RSV vaccine or antibody treatment.

Symptoms to watch for in high-risk groups

For children and adults at high risk of developing pneumonia or bronchiolitis because of RSV, more severe symptoms may develop, including:

• Fever
• Severe cough
• Wheezing
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Bluish tint to skin

Anyone experiencing the following symptoms should visit the nearest emergency department immediately:

• Difficulty breathing (for infants and children, this includes belly breathing between the ribs and/or lower neck, head bobbing or rhythmic grunting when breathing, or flaring of the nostrils when breathing)
• High fever
• Bluish tint to the skin (especially lips and fingernails)
• Signs of dehydration (in infants, this can include a decrease in wet diapers)

What to do if RSV is suspected

It’s important to seek the right level of care for RSV. Emergency departments experience high volumes of sick patients during cold and flu season; seeking this type of care when it is not necessary can result in treatment delays for yourself and others.

Unless symptoms are life-threatening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying home and away from others until symptoms are getting better and you’re fever-free for least 24 hours.

For those in a high-risk category, it’s best to seek prompt care and treatment to lower the chance of becoming seriously ill. Contact your primary care provider, your child’s pediatrician or visit an urgent care facility.

MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care offers walk-in access at locations across the state of Washington as well as online care appointments. MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s offers walk-in access at urgent care locations as well as virtual urgent care for pediatric patients. You can also search MultiCare’s directory for a list of additional urgent care options.

Keeping our MultiCare hospitals and clinics free of RSV

Generally speaking, masks are optional, but highly recommended, in most areas of our hospitals and clinics. Visitors may be required to wear a mask in some areas to protect patients who are at higher risk of infection, such as those in adult or pediatric critical care units or those who are receiving cancer treatment or dialysis.

High-risk areas will be marked with a sign requiring a mask. We may also require masking in our hospitals and clinics when levels of COVID-19, flu and/or RSV are high in the communities where these facilities are located. You can learn more by reading our visitor policies.