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Health Conditions
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
What are the risk factors?
Risk factors are characteristics that can predispose you to developing a condition. The following are common risk factors for becoming infected with RSV:
- Exposure to tobacco smoke
- Birth within 6 months before onset of RSV season
- Living in crowded conditions (for example, more than 2 children per bedroom or more than 4 per household)
- Day care attendance
- Older siblings in preschool or school
- Being in a multiple birth set (for example, twin, triplet)
There are also risk factors for developing severe RSV infections. The following are common risk factors for developing severe RSV that may require hospitalization:
- Age younger than 3 months at time of infection
- Premature birth
- Chronic lung disease (for example, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia [a chronic lung disease often seen in premature infants], or cystic fibrosis)
- Congenital heart disease
- Weakened immune system (for example HIV infection, diabetes, no spleen, cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, or blood disorders)
- Lower socioeconomic status
- Male sex
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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What are the risk factors?
