RSV Awareness: Protecting Your Family This Winter

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a common virus that affects the respiratory system, specifically the nose, throat, and lungs. Symptoms can be like the common cold, the flu, or COVID-19, making it difficult to differentiate between these illnesses. RSV primarily affects infants, young children, and older adults. Individuals infected with RSV have displayed symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected.  

The symptoms can appear in stages and not all at once.  

• Runny nose 

• Congestion 

• Decrease in appetite 

• Coughing 

• Sneezing 

• Fever 

• Wheezing 

In infants, their symptoms can involve difficulty breathing, irritability, and decreased physical activity. People with RSV can be contagious for approximately 3 - 8 days. However, you can be contagious 1 - 2 days before you notice any symptoms.  

It is crucial to protect babies and children who cannot receive the vaccine, remember if you are sick: 

• Practice good hygiene 

• Covering your coughs and sneezes 

• Washing your hands 

• Disinfecting surfaces 

• Stay home and away from others.  

To prevent RSV, ask your doctor about the RSV vaccine to protect those around you who cannot receive the vaccine.   

If you have questions about the vaccine, please contact the Jemez Health Clinic at

(575) 834-7314.