RSV

1 of 2

abbreviation or noun

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

Examples of RSV in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Abbreviation or noun
There are also two RSV vaccines available for adults 60 and older. Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 23 Nov. 2023 What This Means For You The 2024 adult vaccination schedule now includes new vaccines that protect against RSV, mpox, and meningitis. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 23 Nov. 2023 Chinese health officials said last week that the country was experiencing a seasonal increase in overlapping respiratory diseases, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the virus that causes Covid-19, attributing it in part to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023 The first vaccine for RSV was approved in May and was targeted for older adults. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023 The government is mailing out the coronavirus tests as the the flu season kicks off and a spike in RSV cases has been reported in some spots around the country. Amanda Seitz, Fortune Well, 20 Nov. 2023 In the early Fifties, the National Council of the Churches of Christ had issued the Revised Standard Version (RSV), a new translation designed to be more accessible to all Protestant denominations. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023 This year, there are shots available to fight COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Julia Landwehr, Health, 14 Nov. 2023 This year, a new tool with promise to turn the tide against infant RSV hospitalizations – a monoclonal antibody shot called nirsevimab. Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 12 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'RSV.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Abbreviation Or Noun

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of RSV was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near RSV

Cite this Entry

“RSV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RSV. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

RSV

1 of 2 abbreviation or noun
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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