RSV

1 of 2

abbreviation or noun

ˌär-ˌes-ˈvē 

plural RSVs

: respiratory syncytial virus

Like many viruses, RSV is spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects.

—Nancy Snyderman

RSV, a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies, has been spreading around the region and the country, and doctors are cautioning about the risks to young children.

—Josette Keelor

RSVs typically emerge in late fall and remain until early spring. However, signs of RSV outbreak began in the middle of April before exponentially increasing by early May.

—Winston Henvey

RSV

2 of 2

abbreviation

Revised Standard Version

Examples of RSV in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Abbreviation or noun

The agenda has since been posted online and lists respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as one of the issues up for discussion. —Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

Older adults can get longterm protection with the RSV vaccine amid COVID and flu season. —Maria Leontaras, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025

June 26, 2025 ACIP recommends an RSV monoclonal antibody shot for babies but recommends against flu vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2025

Sales of Abrysvo, the company’s RSV vaccine, surged 155% on uptake among adults and pregnant women, while cancer therapies such as Lorbrena saw a 48% rise in sales on stronger first-line use. —John Buckingham, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Abbreviation Or Noun

1961, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

RSV

1 of 2 abbreviation or noun

ˌär-ˌes-ˈvē 

: respiratory syncytial virus

Long considered primarily a pathogen of young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been recognized as a cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in adults.

—Harvey B. Simon, Science & Medicine

However, upper respiratory tract infections caused by RSV tend to last longer than those caused by other common respiratory agents …

—Caroline Breese, The New England Journal of Medicine

RSV

2 of 2 abbreviation

Rous sarcoma virus