respiratory syncytial virus: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 8, 2026

News •

Medical societies unify to endorse evidence-based respiratory vaccine guidance • Nov. 5, 2026, 2:39 PM ET (News-Medical)

Cranking up a natural defense pathway boosts cells' resistance to RSV • Oct. 20, 2026, 12:40 PM ET (Medical Xpress)

Facts

Also Known As	RSV

Videos

Diagram showing a microscope with a magnified view of a large, rod-shaped bacterium next to a much smaller, round virus particle.

See All Videos →

Topics

pneumonia ribavirin respiratory syncytial virus infection bronchiolitis Pneumovirus