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

As before, people 75 and older are recommended to get a one-time RSV vaccine, as are people ages 50 to 74 who are at higher risk. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026

The various medical groups stressed the need for patients of their members to receive flu, Covid, and RSV vaccines if recommended, and to get them at the appropriate time. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Sep. 2026

With children back in school and the looming threat of respiratory viruses like Covid-19, influenza and RSV on the horizon, many people may now be wondering how to stay healthy. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

It’s also recommended during late pregnancy to protect infants born during RSV season. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

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