RSV Infections on the Rise in Infants, CDC Reports

Preventive measures and new vaccines are key to protecting the most vulnerable, especially during the holiday season.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are expected to spike due to holiday gatherings, with children under five years old being hospitalized at a higher rate than any other age group.
RSV is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe respiratory disease, particularly in infants and the immunocompromised.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a sharp rise in RSV cases in the last two weeks.
Preventive measures include wearing a mask around babies, washing hands before holding a baby, and getting preventive shots.
There are two protective shots available for babies and two RSV vaccines for adults 60 and older. A vaccine recently endorsed by the CDC can be given during pregnancy to protect infants.