Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects the lungs and airways.
It causes colds and is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, a common chest infection that affects infants and toddlers. Most children will have at least one RSV infection by age two. The infection is most severe in young babies and older adults and can cause serious lung infections that may require hospitalization.
Ministry of Health:
Public Health Agency of Canada:
Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health:
Public Health Ontario:
Caring for Kids:
Individual cases are not reportable to the Health Unit.
For healthcare facilities and congregate living settings report as soon as an outbreak is suspected. See Quick Reference for Detecting Outbreaks.
Should one go to child care, school or work if they have RSV?
Ill individuals should remain home until they do not have a fever, do not develop any new symptoms and symptoms have been improving for a least 24 hours (48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea).
Follow the direction of your healthcare provider, public health outbreak manager, and/or occupational health at your workplace.
RSV is preventable by vaccination, for certain individuals at this time. Check your vaccination records or call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5252 to book a vaccination appointment or to obtain additional information.
For more information, please see the Ministry of Health’s RSV Prevention Programs webpage.
Public Health Agency of Canada:
Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health:
Centre for Effective Practice:
Ministry of Health:
Fact sheets and other resources to share with patients
Immunize Canada:
Ministry of Health:
Contact our Communicable Disease Control program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.
Last updated: July 2026, by CDC
