Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Tests

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. Your respiratory tract includes your lungs, nose, and throat.

RSV testing checks a fluid sample from your nose to see if the virus is in your body and causing symptoms of a respiratory infection. RSV is very contagious, which means it spreads easily from person to person. It's also very common and goes away after 1-2 weeks without the need for testing or specific treatment.

Most children get RSV by the age of two. RSV usually causes mild symptoms that are like a cold (such as a cough, runny nose, and congestion). But the virus may lead to serious breathing problems, especially in certain groups of people, including: Infants, especially those 6 months and younger; Older adults, especially those 65 years and older; People with heart or lung diseases; People with weakened immune systems; Two types of tests are commonly used to diagnose RSV infections: Rapid RSV antigen tests are the most common test for RSV.

They check a fluid sample from your nose for certain proteins from the virus called antigens. RSV antigens trigger your immune system to attack the virus. Rapid antigen tests can provide results in an hour or less.; Molecular tests called RT-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests look for genetic material from the virus in your sample.

These tests can find smaller amounts of the virus than antigen tests (which means that they are more sensitive and are better at being able to tell if the virus is in your body). So, RT-PCR tests may be used for older children and adults who tend to have less of the virus in their noses than infants and younger children. Samples are usually sent to a lab for testing.

In certain cases, your health care provider may order a molecular test called a respiratory pathogens panel. This test checks for RSV and other respiratory viruses like those that cause the flu and COVID-19.;

Why this test is done

Healthy adults and older children usually don't need RSV testing. Most RSV infections only cause mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and headaches. But an infant, younger child, or an adult over age 65 may need an RSV test if they have symptoms of moderate or serious infection.

These include:

• Fever
• Wheezing
• Serious cough
• Breathing faster than normal or trouble breathing
• Blue skin color

In infants less than six months old, the only symptoms of RSV may be:

• Acting irritable
• Moving less than usual
• Lacking appetite
• Pausing while breathing

How to prepare

You don't need any special preparations for an RSV test.

Sample type

Blood Swab

Other names for this test

respiratory syncytial antibody test, RSV rapid detection