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

Respiratory virus season will begin later this month, with the probability of COVID-19 or RSV infections getting higher. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

Babies of mothers that did not receive the RSV vaccine can also benefit from an antibody known as Nirsevimab, which offers direct protection for about five months against RSV through pre-formed antibodies injected into the body. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

The mandates are aimed at reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, which can be particularly harmful for some people. —Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024

With respiratory virus season getting underway, experts recommend getting Covid-19, flu and RSV vaccinations, if eligible, in the fall to provide protection when the season peaks between December and March. —Sam Tupper, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

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