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Sep 19, 2023 · A blood test or mouth swab can confirm whether you have RSV. Your healthcare team may decide to do this test if your symptoms aren’t improving. RSV or a cold: Why it matters. RSV can lead to serious lung infections for some people, especially adults 65 and older, or those with heart, lung or immune system issues.
Aug 16, 2023 · Many people won’t be able to tell RSV from a common cold or flu bug. Visiting a healthcare provider for testing to confirm an RSV diagnosis isn’t required. But depending on your medical history, your provider may want to run a lab test to confirm an RSV diagnosis for you or your child.
Oct 16, 2024 · There is no test for the common cold, but the healthcare provider may run tests to rule out other causes for the symptoms. A nasal swab, or a sample collected by inserting a saltwater solution into the nose and gently suctioning it out, may be used to test for RSV .
- Overview
- What is RSV?
- What is a cold?
- How can you tell RSV from a cold?
- How are RSV and a cold similar?
- What is the treatment for RSV vs. a cold?
- What are the risk factors for RSV vs. a cold?
- What’s the outlook for people who have RSV vs. a cold?
- Frequently asked questions
- Takeaway
RSV causes a mild infection similar to the common cold. But, RSV is more likely to cause fever, wheezing, and difficulty eating. Both may be treated at home without medical intervention within around 1 week.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that leads to a mild infection. It causes symptoms that are very similar to the common cold.
RSV lasts about as long as the common cold, and you can typically treat it at home with rest, just like a cold.
However, there are some differences. Several viruses can cause a cold, not only RSV. And not all symptoms of RSV and colds are the same.
RSV is a common virus that causes infections in humans. Most RSV infections are mild and cause symptoms similar to the common cold.
Typically, people have symptoms for about 1 week and can recover without medical treatment.
A cold is a mild and very common infection. Adults have about two to three colds each year. Children typically have colds more often.
You can treat most colds with rest and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. People typically start to feel better in less than a week.
Infections caused by RSV are more likely to cause a fever and wheezing.
RSV infections are also more likely to make it difficult for you to eat.
RSV and colds share common symptoms in adults, such as:
•coughing
•sneezing
•headache
•sore throat
They also share common symptoms in infants, such as:
Most people who contract RSV or develop a cold do not need medical treatment. You can treat either infection at home.
Medical professionals typically recommend that people take steps such as:
•taking OTC medications to manage symptoms
•getting plenty of rest
•drinking plenty of fluids
•using nose saline drops
Anyone can get RSV or a cold at any time. They’re both very common in children and adults. In fact, most people contract RSV for the first time before their second birthday.
RSV and the viruses that cause the common cold spread throughout the year, but each has peak seasons.
RSV is more active in the fall and winter. Common cold viruses are more active in the spring and winter.
In addition to the season, some other factors make contracting RSV or developing a cold more likely. These include:
•being an infant or very young child
•being in your 70s or older
RSV and cold infections are typically mild. Most people recover completely in under 2 weeks.
However, it’s possible for a cold and an RSV infection to progress and become a serious illness, such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
For infections caused by RSV, serious illness is more of a risk for:
•infants
•older adults
•people with heart conditions
Can I take antibiotics for RSV or a cold?
No. RSV is a virus and colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not treat viruses, they treat bacteria.
Is RSV contagious?
Yes. RSV can be transmitted from person to person easily.
How do I know if my RSV infection or cold has progressed to a serious infection?
Most people start to feel better in a few days. If you feel worse each day, it may be a sign your infection is progressing to a more serious illness. Other signs your mild infection might have turned into something more serious include: •your symptoms last longer than 10 days •your symptoms go away and then come back •you have a fever for longer than 10 days If this happens, make a doctor’s appointment.
RSV causes an infection that is very similar to the common cold. Both an RSV infection and the common cold cause mild symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, and congestion. Both typically last about a week.
You don’t usually need treatment for either condition. Oftentimes, it’s enough to rest at home with fluids and OTC medications.
However, infections caused by RSV and colds aren’t the same. Several viruses can lead to colds, and there are some symptoms, such as a fever, that are more common in RSV than in colds.
In either case, your symptoms should improve in just a few days. If you start to feel worse, make a medical appointment.
Nov 22, 2023 · RSV in healthy people who are not children or over the age of 65 might look like a cold or a mild case of COVID. But for children and seniors, a telltale sign of a potential RSV infection is when ...
Dec 30, 2022 · CLAIM RSV, COVID-19, and the flu share many symptoms. FINDING True. Without a diagnostic test, it can be difficult to tell which virus is the cause of a respiratory illness, especially if all three are circulating in a community at the same time.
Dec 1, 2023 · At-home testing for RSV isn’t available in the way it is for COVID-19. The only places you’d typically have access to a formal RSV test are at an urgent care center, the emergency room, or elsewhere in a hospital, Chin-Hong said. “I think in the future it’d be great to have a home test for COVID, flu and RSV,” he said.
