S2E5 RSV: Symptoms, Spread, and Prevention

RSV is one of the most common respiratory viruses — and a leading cause of hospitalization in young children worldwide. In this solo episode, I explain what RSV is, how it spreads, and what illness typically looks like in babies, children, and adults. We cover when RSV can be managed at home, how to recognize breathing-related red flags, when to go to the ER or call an ambulance, and what supportive care actually helps. The episode also looks at the current RSV landscape, including rising cases in parts of the U.S. and new prevention tools — maternal vaccination and long-acting monoclonal antibodies — that are dramatically reducing severe RSV disease in infants. Clear, practical, and evidence-based. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx