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

Unfortunately, our favorite cozy time of year also comes with an uninvited guest: cold, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. —Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 25 Oct. 2024

But like many parents across the United States, she’s had to monitor sick children and help them through respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). —Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

On Thursday, Merck said its experimental treatment for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants showed positive results in a mid- to late-stage trial. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024

The traditional pregnancy-rec vaccines are flu, COVID, and Tdap, but a new one (the FDA gave it the green light in 2023) protects against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be seriously dangerous for newborns. —Ashley Abramson, SELF, 2 Oct. 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