RSV

1 of 2

abbreviation or noun

plural RSVs
: respiratory syncytial virus
Like many viruses, RSV is spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects.Nancy Snyderman
RSV, 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
RSVs 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

RSV

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of RSV in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Abbreviation or noun
However, Covid-19 is not like RSV or influenza, particularly given the long-term organ damage caused by the SARS2-CoV virus. Judy Stone, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 This aligns with the guidance for other respiratory illnesses, including flu and RSV. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2024 Much of the data the CDC had tracked on COVID-19 alongside other trends, like influenza and RSV, will also continue to be published. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2024 For every 1 million doses of RSV vaccine given, between 2,400 and 2,700 RSV hospitalizations, 450 to 520 intensive care unit admissions, and 120 to 140 deaths are averted, the agency estimated. Helen Branswell, STAT, 29 Feb. 2024 Flu season:Tennessee leads the country with the highest levels of influenza-like illness How can the flu, COVID-19 and RSV be prevented? Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 The plans would drop the five-day isolation guidelines and align it with guidance on curbing the spread of flu and RSV, the Post reported. Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2024 Influenza has dropped more dramatically, down to about 6.5%, after reaching nearly 19% at the end of December. Hospitalizations for both, and for respiratory syncytial virus — or RSV — are down to a fraction of their recent peaks, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024 So far this season, there have been fewer hospitalizations for flu, Covid-19 and RSV than there were at this point last season. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'RSV.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Abbreviation Or Noun

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of RSV was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near RSV

Cite this Entry

“RSV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RSV. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical 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
However, 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

RSV

2 of 2 abbreviation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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