Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Sick Person

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, can cause upper respiratory infections (such as colds) and lower respiratory tract infections (such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia). Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday, and RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States. Premature infants and infants with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease have higher rates of RSV hospitalization.

Resources for the General Public

Resources for Health Care Providers

Alaska State Virology Laboratory (ASVL) Information

ASVL conducts RSV testing (Groups A & B) as part of the Luminex NxTag® Respiratory Pathogen Panel, a multiplex PCR test method.

RSV Surveillance Activity

RSV Prophylaxis and Vaccines in Alaska


State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletins

Alaska Public Health Alert Network (PHAN) Alerts