RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in New York City
Is RSV going around in New York City?
RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, is a common virus that causes cold-like illness in most people. It matters because it is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in babies, and it sends tens of thousands of older adults to the hospital every year.
In New York City, RSV season usually begins in the fall, peaks in late fall or winter, and overlaps with flu and COVID-19. Since 2023 there are vaccines for older adults and pregnant people and an antibody shot for infants, which have changed how severe seasons are.
Know the signs
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) symptoms
- Runny nose
- Decreased appetite
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
- In infants: irritability, decreased activity, pauses in breathing, trouble feeding
- In older adults: worsening of asthma, COPD or heart failure
How it spreads
RSV spreads through droplets from coughs and sneezes, direct contact such as kissing a child's face, and touching surfaces like doorknobs and toys where the virus can survive for hours. People are usually contagious for three to eight days, and infants and people with weakened immune systems can spread it for weeks.
The local picture
RSV in the five boroughs
NYC Health publishes weekly RSV counts for the city. HealthNarc imports those published counts and combines them with community reports of cold and cough symptoms, so you can see when the season is starting in the five boroughs.
Because RSV is most dangerous for the youngest and the oldest, the trend matters more than the total: a rising line in October is the signal that daycare and nursing-home precautions should begin.
What to do
Most RSV infections clear on their own in a week or two. Seek care right away for an infant or older adult who is breathing fast, wheezing, struggling to breathe, or unable to drink. Ask a provider about the RSV vaccine if you are 75 or older, 60 to 74 with a chronic condition, or pregnant, and about the infant antibody shot for babies entering their first RSV season.
Where the data comes from
Sources for RSV data
The live figure above is the citywide count from the official feed HealthNarc imports (NYC Health or the CDC’s National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System) for the latest four published weeks, compared with the four weeks before. Where no official feed exists, it falls back to community reports from the last 28 days. For exposure notices and guidance, use these sources:
In the news
RSV headlines
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Headlines link to their publishers. HealthNarc does not verify or endorse outside reporting.
Common questions
RSV in NYC: questions people ask
- When is RSV season in New York City?
- RSV activity in NYC typically starts rising in the fall, peaks between November and January, and fades by spring. Timing shifted after the pandemic, so the live numbers on this page are a better guide than the calendar.
- How do I know if my baby has RSV or just a cold?
- You often can't from symptoms alone, because RSV starts like a cold. Watch for fast breathing, flaring nostrils, wheezing, the chest pulling in with each breath, or trouble feeding. Any of those means call a doctor the same day.
- Is there an RSV vaccine?
- Yes. The CDC recommends a single RSV vaccine dose for adults 75 and older and for adults 60 to 74 at higher risk, a vaccine during pregnancy to protect newborns, and a long-acting antibody shot for infants entering their first RSV season.
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