Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. RSV is common around the world and is most active in Canada during the fall and winter months (when people in Canada are most likely to catch RSV and become sick). Symptoms of RSV are usually similar to that of the common cold, and for most people, the illness itself is generally mild.

RSV enters your body through your mouth, eyes, and nose through infected droplets. It is spread through close contact with others (e.g., someone who is infected coughs or sneezes next to you, or through sharing personal items such as drinks), and by touching contaminated surfaces (e.g., touching a countertop that an infected person recently touched or sneezed next to).

Symptoms typically appear two to eight days after someone has been exposed to RSV and can include coughing, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and a decrease in appetite and energy.

Check out our resources on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization and share with your network!