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
Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
The quad-demic refers to Covid, flu, RSV and norovirus.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2025
The agenda for the late February meeting had included discussions and votes related to vaccines for HPV, RSV, influenza and Lyme disease, among other topics.
—Will Stone, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
Viral pneumonia can sometimes stem from viruses that include the flu, common cold, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 19 Feb. 2025
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Abbreviation or noun
Health officials say the outbreak is accompanied by rising infection rates for other viruses, including RSV, COVID-19 and the gastrointestinal bug norovirus.
—Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
The quad-demic refers to Covid, flu, RSV and norovirus.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2025
The agenda for the late February meeting had included discussions and votes related to vaccines for HPV, RSV, influenza and Lyme disease, among other topics.
—Will Stone, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
Viral pneumonia can sometimes stem from viruses that include the flu, common cold, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to Cleveland Clinic.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for RSV
Cite this Entry
“RSV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RSV. Accessed 3 Mar. 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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