Common Signs and Symptoms of RSV in Adults — Plus When to Get Medical Attention
Key takeaways:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes the common cold and other respiratory tract infections. Adults can get RSV many times throughout their lives.
Common symptoms of RSV in adults include cough, congestion, and runny nose.
Adults can develop trouble breathing when they have RSV, especially if they’re older than age 65 or have chronic medical conditions.
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of many viruses that cause the common cold during the winter. RSV is best known for causing bronchiolitis in young children. But adults can get RSV too.
Most adults who come down with RSV develop only mild symptoms. But older adults and people with certain medical conditions are at risk of developing more serious RSV symptoms. Every year, tens of thousands of adults are hospitalized with RSV infections. Being able to recognize the symptoms of adult RSV can keep you and your loved ones safe this season.
Let’s take a look at the most common symptoms of RSV in adults and when it’s time to get medical attention for RSV symptoms.
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What are the most common symptoms of RSV in adults?
Symptoms of adult RSV usually feel like the common cold. Most adults who get RSV develop an upper respiratory tract infection, which means the virus invades the nose, throat, or sinuses.
The first symptoms of adult RSV are:
Runny nose
Congestion
Sneezing
Decreased appetite
Sore throat
Low energy
Mild cough
Some people develop only some symptoms, but others develop all of them. Runny nose and congestion tend to be the most common.
It’s also possible to get sick with RSV and not feel sick at all. But you’re less likely to have no symptoms with RSV illness as you get older, especially once you’re older than 65 years.
What are the severe symptoms of adult RSV?
The RSV virus can move from the upper respiratory tract to the lower respiratory tract, which includes the airways and the lungs.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) treatments for adults: How you treat RSV depends on how severe your illness is. For some, home remedies are enough to manage symptoms. Learn more about your options.
Can RSV turn into pneumonia? RSV can also lead to more serious illnesses, like pneumonia. Here’s how to recognize the symptoms and prevent RSV complications.
RSV vaccination for adults: Learn all about RSV vaccines, including who’s eligible and how long protection lasts.
Coughing is a sign that the virus has moved into the lower airways and lungs, and it’s among the most common symptoms of RSV illness. The cough may be wet and occur during the day and night.
Other severe symptoms of RSV in adults include:
Having trouble breathing
Wheezing
Tiring easily with activity
Having a fever
People with medical conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, or congestive heart failure may also feel like their usual symptoms are getting worse.
When RSV moves into the airways and lungs, people can develop pneumonia and bronchitis.
Who is most at risk for getting seriously sick with RSV in adults?
Some adults are at higher risk for developing serious RSV illness. You’re at risk if you’re older than 65 years or if you have a history of:
Asthma
COPD
Stem cell transplant
Heart disease (especially congestive heart failure)
Solid organ transplant
Diabetes
Weakened immune system
You’re also at higher risk if you receive chemotherapy or take other medications that impair your immune system.
People who are at higher risk for getting seriously sick with RSV in adults often need care in a hospital.
Knowing whether you’re at risk for serious RSV is the first step in taking action to keep yourself (or your loved ones) safe from RSV illness.
When should you get medical care for RSV in adults?
If you’re at risk for serious RSV and you develop any RSV symptoms — even mild ones — you should see a healthcare professional. They can test you for RSV and other viruses that cause similar symptoms, like COVID and the flu.
A healthcare professional will also monitor your illness to make sure you aren’t developing a lower respiratory tract infection.
If you have another medical condition, a healthcare professional may also prescribe higher doses of your usual medications or additional medications to help you fight off the virus.
See a healthcare professional immediately if:
You develop a fever.
You have trouble breathing.
Your medication doesn’t seem to be working.
How do you treat RSV in adults?
There’s no specific treatment for RSV. Most treatment focuses on relieving symptoms while the immune system fights off the virus. Most people can manage their symptoms at home using treatments that also help relieve the common cold.
These home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments include:
OTC cold medications to relieve cough and congestion
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) to relieve fever and muscle ache
Cold or warm beverages and lozenges to relieve sore throat
Nasal saline sprays to clear out mucus and congestion
If you have asthma or COPD, you may need additional treatments like steroids. You may also need to adjust your inhaler doses while you’re sick.
People with weakened immune systems or who’ve had stem cell or solid organ transplants may need additional treatment if they have RSV illness.
RSV vaccination
In 2023, the FDA approved the first RSV vaccines for adults. Arexvy, Abrysvo, and mRESVIA are approved for adults age 60 and older. Abrysvo is also approved for pregnant women. Studies show that people who get the vaccine are much less likely to develop more serious respiratory tract symptoms from RSV.
The natural immunity you get after an RSV illness doesn’t last very long — that’s why it’s possible to get RSV more than once. Since the RSV vaccines are still quite new, researchers are still learning about how long protection from vaccination will last.
Preventing RSV
For those who are eligible, getting vaccinated against RSV can help prevent RSV illness. Here are some additional ways to avoid RSV:
Avoid contact with people who have RSV or cold symptoms. People who are sick with RSV are contagious for 3 to 8 days. If a friend or household member has RSV symptoms, try to keep your distance for at least 8 days.
Keep distance from babies and children with RSV. RSV spreads rapidly among babies and young children because they’ve never been exposed to the virus before. Often, children bring RSV into a home and spread it to other family members. Consider separating vulnerable adults from young children as much as possible during peak RSV season.
Wear a mask. Wearing a mask can help keep you from getting RSV, whether you’re in public or at home. It isn’t always possible to avoid contact with loved ones who are sick. Your household members should wear a mask if they aren’t feeling well to lower the risk of spreading the virus.
Wash your hands often. Handwashing keeps you from passing the virus if you're sick or picking up the virus when you’re not sick. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Disinfect surfaces. Unlike some viruses, RSV can survive on hard surfaces for several hours. That means you can get sick with RSV if you touch a surface that has the virus on it. You should disinfect frequently touched surfaces in high-traffic rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.
Stay up-to-date with vaccines. People who get sick with RSV and another virus, like the flu, at the same time are more likely to need care in a hospital. If you live with an adult who’s at high risk for serious RSV illness, make sure everyone in your home is up-to-date with their vaccines.
These steps may seem simple, but they’re lifesaving — especially for adults who live in long-term care facilities where RSV can spread quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Adults with RSV often experience symptoms within 4 to 6 days of coming into contact with the virus. RSV symptoms tend to follow the general stages of the common cold. Often, symptoms are at their worst 4 to 6 days after they start. They should fade away within 1 to 2 weeks.
Cough is a very common symptom of RSV, and it can make you feel pretty miserable. You may notice a mild cough at the start of your illness. But this cough can worsen and stick around for 10 days or more. People who are at risk for more severe illness, such as older adults and people with lung disease, should contact a healthcare professional to help closely monitor symptoms.
RSV can cause different types of cough. An RSV cough can be wet or dry. A dry cough results from an irritated airway and can sound hacky. With a wet cough, you’ll be able to hear fluid rattling around in your airways. A wet cough can point to an infection in the lower airways, such as pneumonia. Be sure to get medical attention if you feel short of breath or have trouble breathing.
The bottom line
RSV infection can happen at any age. Most adults will experience mild RSV symptoms like congestion and runny nose. But adults older than 65 years and those with chronic medical conditions have a greater risk of developing severe illness. Many people with serious RSV illness need care in a hospital.
If you’re older than 65 years or have chronic medical conditions and you come down with cold symptoms, see a healthcare professional. If you have trouble breathing or fever, get care right away. There’s no cure for RSV. But simple steps — like wearing a mask and avoiding people who are sick — can keep you from getting sick with RSV.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Clinical overview of RSV.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). How RSV spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). RSV in older adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). RSV vaccine guidance for older adults.
Colosia, A., et al. (2023). Systematic literature review of the signs and symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.
Curran, D., et al. (2022). Impact of respiratory syncytial virus disease on quality of life in adults aged ≥50 years: A qualitative patient experience cross‐sectional study. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA approves first vaccine for pregnant individuals to prevent RSV in infants.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
