It might just be the worst disease you have never heard of. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a virus that affects the lungs. It can make breathing difficult. It can also cause lower respiratory tract infections, inflammation of the small airways of the lungs (bronchiolitis) and infection of the lungs (pneumonia).
Even though RSV is common, not everyone has the facts about the virus. Some people scarcely know about RSV. Others harbor misconceptions about who is at risk, when people can catch RSV and what can be done to reduce the risk of infection. Given RSV’s prevalence and impact, it’s worth knowing the facts.
