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But with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, how old you are can affect how sick you get.
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The virus is very contagious and can spread quickly in daycares and nursing homes through sneezing and coughing.
They may also do a chest X-ray to test for inflammation in the lungs.
Now, back to those symptoms.
RSV is so common, most kids have been infected with it bythe age of 2.
But that doesnt mean it cant be dangerous, especially for infants.
It looks like theyre really struggling to breathe.
Their symptoms may start out mild and then become more severe a few days into the illness.
Soon after that, sneezing, fever, and that wheezing Davis mentioned may occur.
(Bronchitis, FYI, affects your larger airways and usually happens to older children and adults.)
The best protection we havein addition to staying away from babies when youre sickis vaccination, says Davis.
(Unlike active vaccinations, monoclonal antibodies do not activate the immune system.
RSV can also be dangerous for some young children.
The younger they are, the higher the risk.
In healthy adults, RSV doesnt generally cause severe illness.
The best way to treat your symptoms is with (you guessed it!)
fluids and rest; a cool-mist humidifier; and over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
And antiviralsarent routinely recommended either.
With that said, RSVcanmake adults really sick.
If complications develop, you may need to be hospitalized.
In most cases, hospitalization lastsjust a few days.
Certain older adults are at higher risk for severe RSV infection.
RSV can also make asthma, COPD, and heart failure worse.
