respiratory syncytial virus

noun

Definition of respiratory syncytial virus

: a paramyxovirus (species Human respiratory syncytial virus of the genus Pneumovirus) that is responsible for severe respiratory diseases (such as bronchopneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children and especially in infants —abbreviation RSV

Recent Examples of respiratory syncytial virus from the Web

Last year, a few students showed up with flu but more had other viruses that cause similar symptoms, such as coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.

— NBC News, "Sneeze machine study takes a deep dive into how flu spreads," 13 Feb. 2018
Lung infections in kids and elderly Many hospitals are also reporting an increase in patients with respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV.

— soumya karlamangla, latimes.com, "Flu deaths reach a high, but outbreak shows signs of easing," 9 Feb. 2018
Long thought to be a threat mostly to infants, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasingly recognized for its impact on adults.

— stacey burling, Philly.com, "The other virus that kills during flu season," 18 Oct. 2017
Lara distributed a handout that listed various ailments and their oil treatments: eucalyptus for bronchitis, lavender for third-degree burns, cypress for mononucleosis, rosemary for respiratory syncytial virus.

— erin blakemore, Longreads, "Multi-Level Marketing’s Feminine Mystique: A Reading List," 17 Oct. 2017
Also in the pipeline is a vaccine administered to mothers to protect their babies from RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, which causes 34 million infections and kills about 200,000 children under the age of 5 every year.

— sandi doughton, The Seattle Times, "Booster shot: Gates Foundation gives Seattle global-health group $120 million for vaccine work," 6 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'respiratory syncytial virus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of respiratory syncytial virus

1961

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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