Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Testing
- Also Known As:
- RSV

This page was fact checked by our expert Medical Review Board for accuracy and objectivity. Read more about our editorial policy and review process.
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To help diagnose a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection; to help determine whether or not RSV is circulating in your community
When To Get Tested?
When it is RSV season (late fall through early spring in the U.S.) and an infant, an elderly person, or a person with a weakened immune system has a moderate to severe respiratory infection and symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, coughing and/or difficulty breathing
Sample Required?
Usually a nasal aspirate or nasal wash; occasionally a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab
Test Preparation Needed?
None
What is being tested?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very contagious, common viral respiratory infection. RSV testing detects the presence of respiratory syncytial virus in nasal secretions to help diagnose the infection.
Most people recover from an RSV infection without any specific treatment or having to see a healthcare practitioner to get tested. However, testing may be done for infants, young children with heart or lung problems, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems because they are particularly vulnerable. In these high-risk groups, RSV can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the small airways of the lungs.
Signs and symptoms of RSV infection are similar to those of other respiratory infections and usually appear 4 to 6 days after someone comes into contact with the virus. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Runny nose
- Coughing, sneezing
- Reduced appetite
- Fever
- Wheezing
- In very young infants, the only symptoms may be irritability, sluggishness (inactivity), and difficulty breathing
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost everyone has been infected with RSV by the time they are 2 years old. It is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children in the U.S. and globally.
Though usually causing a mild illness, RSV can be serious in some children and adults. Each year in the U.S., RSV leads to about:
- 2.1 million outpatient visits and 57,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old
- 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths among adults older than 65 years
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally there may be as many as 30 million RSV lower respiratory infections in children younger than 5 years old, resulting in than 3.4 million hospitalizations each year.
RSV that tends to be seasonal, causing community epidemics in the fall, winter, and spring. Outbreaks typically begin to occur in November or December and decrease by early spring.
How is the sample collected for testing?
Sample collection technique is critical in RSV testing. The best and most frequently used sample is a nasal aspirate or wash. A syringe is used to push a small amount of sterile saline into the nose, then gentle suction is applied (for the aspirate) or the resulting fluid is collected into a cup (for a wash).
Sometimes, a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab is used, although it is not preferred because the amount of virus obtained on a swab is usually low. The NP swab is collected by having a person tip his or her head back, then a Dacron swab (like a long Q-tip) is gently inserted into one of the nostrils until resistance is met (about 1 to 2 inches in), then rotated several times and withdrawn. This is not painful, but it may tickle a bit and cause the person’s eyes to tear.
Common Questions
View Sources
Sources Used in Current Review
Bozman M, et al. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management of Complications. US Pharmacist. 2014;39(7):31-34. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/833507. Accessed November 2016.
Broadbent L, et al. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, an Ongoing Medical Dilemma. Influenza Resp Viruses. 2015;9(4):169-178. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/847350. Accessed November 2016.
(November 4, 2014) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html. Accessed November 2016.
(July 26, 2016) National Institute on Allergies and Infectious Diseases. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Available online at https://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/rsv/Pages/Default.aspx. Accessed November 2016.
(Updated: Oct 13, 2016 ) Krilov L. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections. Medscape Diseases. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/971488-overview. Accessed November 2016.
(March 2015) WHO Consultation on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine development. Available online at http://www.who.int/immunization/research/meetings_workshops/rsv_vaccine_development/en/. Accessed November 2016.
Sources Used in Previous Reviews
Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].
Pagana, Kathleen D. & Pagana, Timothy J. (2001). Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 5th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO. (pp 826-827).
(2003 April). “Flu” Season Explodes into “Respiratory Virus” Season. Stanford University Medical Center, LAB Letter [On-line newsletter]. PDF available for download at http://www.stanfordhospital.com/pdf/labLetterApril2003.pdf.
(2003 November 28, Reviewed). Respiratory Syncytial Virus. CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and Enteric Viruses Branch [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/rsvfeat.htm.
Izenberg, N. (2003 July, Reviewed). Respiratory Syncytial Virus. KidsHealth for Parents, Nemours Foundation [On-line information]. Available online at http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/rsv.html.
(2003 January 7). CDC Finds Annual Flu Deaths Higher Than Previously Estimated. CDC Media Relations [On-line Press Release]. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r030107.htm.
Graham, P. (2003 October 30, Updated). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). MedlinePlus Health Information, Medical Encyclopedia [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001564.htm.
Polak, M. (2004 April 13). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Overview, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies. Medscape, From Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews [On-line journal]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/472399?src=search.
Estrada, B. (2004 January 05). Pediatric Bulletin, What’s New in RSV. Medscape, Infect Med 20(11):522, 2003. [On-line journal]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465432?src=search.
Park, J. and Barnett, D. (2002). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection and the Primary Care Physician. Medscape, South Med J 95(3):353-359, 2002 [On-line journal]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/431615.
(© 2004). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Antibodies, IgG and IgM. ARUP’s Guide to Clinical Laboratory Testing [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arup-lab.com/guides/clt/tests/clt_176b.jsp#1146861.
(© 2004). Respiratory Viruses. ARUP’s Guide to Clinical Laboratory Testing [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arup-lab.com/guides/clt/tests/clt_177b.jsp#1146881.
(2003 May). BD Directigen RSV. Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) [Test Package Insert].
Wu, A. (2006). Tietz Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, Fourth Edition. Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri. Pp 1596-1597.
Forbes, B. et. al. (© 2007). Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology, Twelfth Edition: Mosby Elsevier Press, St. Louis, Missouri. Pp 730-731, 745.
Rauch, D. (2007 July 26, Updated). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001564.htm. Accessed on 7-29-08.
Mozingo, T. (2008, Winter). RSV When It’s More Than Just a Cold. Healthy Children, American Academy of Pediatrics [On-line information]. PDF available for download at http://www.aap.org/family/healthychildren/08winter/HC-winter08-rsv.pdf. Accessed on 7-29-08.
Mayo Clinic Staff (2007 August 1). Respiratory syncytial virus. MayoClinic.com [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/respiratory-syncytial-virus/DS00414. Accessed on 7-29-08.
(© 2007). Respiratory Syncytial Virus. American Lung Association [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2060721&content_id={AC999AD1-9FB2-4310-A642-FD850C2E82AC}¬oc=1. Accessed on 7-29-08.
(© 2007). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fact Sheet. American Lung Association [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2060721&content_id={DEA9A6D1-58D5-4E47-8F36-6E0AAB65B977}¬oc=1. Accessed on 7-29-08.
(2008). Respiratory Syncytial Virus. American Lung Association Lung Disease Data: 2008 [On-line information]. PDF available for download at http://www.lungusa.org/atf/cf/%7B7a8d42c2-fcca-4604-8ade-7f5d5e762256%7D/ALA_LDD08_RSV_FINAL.PDF. Accessed on 7-29-08.
(© 2012). Respiratory Syncytial Virus. American Lung Association [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/respiratory-syncytial-virus/. Accessed January 2012.
Mayo Clinic staff (2011 July 29). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Mayo Clinic [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/respiratory-syncytial-virus/DS00414/METHOD=print. Accessed January 2012.
Delgado, J. et. al. (Updated 2011 October). Respiratory Syncytial Virus – RSV. ARUP Consult [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/RSV.html. Accessed January 2012.
Krilov, L. (Updated 2011 June 14). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection. Medscape Reference [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/971488-overview. Accessed January 2012.
Dugdale, D. (Updated 2011 February 19). RSV antibody test. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003348.htm. Accessed January 2012.
(Updated 2011 October 31). Learn about Respiratory Syncytial Virus. CDC Features [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/RSV/. Accessed January 2012.
Ask a Laboratory Scientist
