RSV
1 of 2abbreviation or noun
plural RSVs
: respiratory syncytial virus
Like many viruses, RSV is spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects.—
Nancy Snyderman
Nancy SnydermanRSV, a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies, has been spreading around the region and the country, and doctors are cautioning about the risks to young children.—Josette Keelor
Josette KeelorRSVs typically emerge in late fall and remain until early spring. However, signs of RSV outbreak began in the middle of April before exponentially increasing by early May.—Winston Henvey
Winston HenveyExamples of RSV in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Channon Hodge, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
Threat level: Kids are the ones visiting the hospital the most, per VDH data, specifically the 0-4 age group for COVID and RSV and 5-to-17-year-olds for flu.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
When testing is conducted, healthcare providers may use PCR or antigen tests for COVID-19 and influenza, rapid tests for RSV, and stool tests for norovirus.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 31 Jan. 2025
The federal map reports state-level data on the transmission of coronavirus, flu and RSV.
—Kendrick Marshall, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025
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Abbreviation or noun
Her toddler spent days in the intensive care unit for respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, and pneumonia.
—Channon Hodge, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
Threat level: Kids are the ones visiting the hospital the most, per VDH data, specifically the 0-4 age group for COVID and RSV and 5-to-17-year-olds for flu.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
When testing is conducted, healthcare providers may use PCR or antigen tests for COVID-19 and influenza, rapid tests for RSV, and stool tests for norovirus.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 31 Jan. 2025
The federal map reports state-level data on the transmission of coronavirus, flu and RSV.
—Kendrick Marshall, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for RSV
Dictionary Entries Near RSV
Cite this Entry
“RSV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RSV. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
RSV
1 of 2 abbreviation or noun
: respiratory syncytial virus
Long considered primarily a pathogen of young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been recognized as a cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in adults.—Harvey B. Simon, Science & Medicine
Harvey B. Simon, Science & MedicineHowever, upper respiratory tract infections caused by RSV tend to last longer than those caused by other common respiratory agents …—Caroline Breese, The New England Journal of Medicine
Caroline Breese, The New England Journal of MedicineRSV
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