respiratory syncytial virus

noun

plural respiratory syncytial viruses

1

: a pneumovirus (species Human orthopneumovirus of the genus Orthopneumovirus) that usually causes mild infections of the upper respiratory tract and lungs, that is spread through contact with respiratory droplets, and that is characterized especially by fever, cough, congestion, and runny nose but may progress to bronchiolitis and pneumonia especially in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals

Respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus often spread and peak during winter, when people travel for the holidays and spend more time indoors and breathing the same air.

—Jessica Rendall

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people. … Infections typically go away on their own in a week or two.

—Ema Sasic

Note: Respiratory syncytial virus was initially identified in 1956 and was formerly classified as a paramyxovirus.

called also RSV

2

: the illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus

Symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus are comparable to those of a common cold and COVID-19. Symptoms include runny nose, fever, coughing, sneezing, decreased appetite and wheezing.

—Tyler Brown

An unseasonably early spike in respiratory syncytial virus cases among young children is pushing some hospitals to capacity.

—Vanessa Romo

called also RSV

Examples of respiratory syncytial virus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Respiratory illness activity is defined as people going to the doctor with symptoms, including fever and a cough and/or sore throat, from any respiratory disease including flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the common cold. —Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2024

Amari was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and spent three weeks in the hospital before recovering and returning home. —Molly Castle Work, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024

But now, with vaccines for Covid and respiratory syncytial virus in the mix, the calculations are no longer simple. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

Statewide data from Kaiser Permanente indicate that COVID-19 may be plateauing, flu is on the way up, and respiratory syncytial virus might be starting to come down, Dodd said. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2024

The Trainwreck star has previously been open about her son's health, having revealed Gene's bout with respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV over a year ago. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024

In outlining the new guidance, CDC officials noted that while the toll of Covid infections remains higher than that of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory pathogens, the impact of Covid is drawing closer to those other viruses. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024

This winter, for the first time ever, there were two vaccines available to ward off respiratory syncytial virus, which is particularly dangerous to older adults and infants. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024

State health officials are urging pregnant Wisconsinites to get a new vaccine to protect their newborns from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which has killed three children and hospitalized nearly 600 babies statewide this season. —Journal Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

respiratory syncytial virus

noun

1

: a pneumovirus (species Human orthopneumovirus of the genus Orthopneumovirus) that usually causes mild infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, that is spread through contact with respiratory droplets, and that is characterized especially by fever, coughing, congestion, and runny nose but may progress to bronchiolitis and pneumonia especially in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals

Respiratory syncytial virus is the most important respiratory pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children.

—David W. Smith et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

Note: Respiratory syncytial virus was initially identified in 1956 and was formerly classified as a paramyxovirus. Cells infected with the virus typically fuse with adjacent cells to form multinucleate syncytia.

called also RSV

2

: the illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus

… an expanding array of synthetic drugs is being clinically tested against many viral infections. … A handful already have been approved for medical use against herpes, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus …, a common respiratory infection that usually is mild but can be life threatening to infants in poor health.

—Roland K. Robins, Chemical & Engineering News

called also RSV