respiratory syncytial virus

British  

noun

1.  RSV.  a myxovirus causing infections of the nose and throat, esp in young children. It is thought to be involved in some cot deaths

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respiratory syncytial virus Scientific  

/ rĕs′pər-ə-tôr′ē /

1. A virus of the family Paromyxoviridae and the genus Pneumovirus that causes severe childhood respiratory infections, especially bronchiolitis in infants.

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Example Sentences

The legal case centered on Moderna’s Spikevax shot for Covid-19 and its mResvia vaccine, which prevents a type of lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Strong results for the respiratory syncytial virus treatment Arexvy indicate demand for it extending into the future, the analysts write.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

A wave of the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus is beginning to wash over the United States — sending greater numbers of babies and toddlers to the hospital, recent data show.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

"The BCG vaccine offers the prospect of near-lifelong protection against every variant of COVID-19, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and other infectious diseases," said Faustman.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

It is also related to certain pneumonia viruses: to the parainfluenza virus, which causes colds in children, and to the respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause fatal pneumonia in a person who has aids.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston