How to Prevent RSV Beyond Wearing Face Masks

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections are common and contagious. RSV outbreaks happen most often between late fall and early spring. Since your body never becomes immune to the virus, it’s possible to have many RSV infections throughout life—sometimes during the same season.

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For many people, RSV causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, RSV can cause serious respiratory illness, particularly in infants, older adults, and people with certain underlying health conditions.

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‍A 2023 study found that this type of infection is a frequent reason for babies and young children requiring hospitalization in Canada, peaking at around two months of age.

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RSV is highly contagious, so it’s easily transmissible from person to person. It's hard to keep from catching RSV—but you can lower the chances with good habits. Here’s what to know about how RSV spreads and what you can do to protect yourself. 

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How does RSV Spread?

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RSV spreads from person to person through infectious respiratory particles and direct contact with respiratory secretions. It can also spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

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The virus can survive for several hours on hard surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops. Infected adults can be contagious before they have symptoms and can remain contagious for up to 8 days. Kids can spread the virus for as long as 4 weeks. 

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Here are some of the main ways RSV is contracted:

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• Touching your face. If your hands have come in contact with RSV, it can be spread by touching your nose, eyes, or mouth without first washing your hands.
• Group living. Older adults living in nursing homes or other group environments have a higher risk of contracting RSV.
• Daycares and school. Babies and young children who are in daycare centres are most likely to become infected, especially during peak season. Meanwhile, older kids may bring it home from school.
• Crowds. Being in close contact with others can increase your exposure to infectious respiratory particles from someone with RSV.
• Sharing food. You can easily catch the virus by sharing food or drinks with an infected person.

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Preventing the Spread of RSV

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Wearing a well-fitting mask can be one measure used to help reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including RSV, particularly when caring for or being around someone who is ill. But there are several other lines of defence for RSV prevention healthcare.

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Hand Hygiene: Your First Line of Defence

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One of the best ways to protect yourself against respiratory infections—including RSV—is good hand hygiene. RSV can easily spread through touching, so hand washing is a critical way to minimize the spread. 

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Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Washing with soap and water is best. (Looking to perfect your hand washing technique? Check out this video by WHO.)

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Make it a habit to wash your hands:

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• After using a shopping cart, gas pump, or ATM
• After handling money or using a keypad
• Before you prepare food
• Before you eat
• Before and after you care for someone who is sick

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If it’s not possible to wash your hands, hand sanitizer is a great alternative since it’s convenient and portable. Look for one with 60% ethyl alcohol or isopropanol. 

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But hand sanitizer has limitations. While the alcohol in it kills many types of germs on your hands, it cannot get rid of all types of germs.

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Hand sanitizer often simply reduces the growth of germs rather than completely eliminating them. It also is less effective when hands are very dirty or greasy.

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Immunization: The Shield Against RSV

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RSV immunization options have expanded significantly in recent years. In Canada, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are available to help protect people at increased risk of severe RSV disease, including infants, older adults and certain adults with underlying health conditions. Recommendations vary based on age, health status and other risk factors.

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Abrysvo^TM: a vaccine for babies and seniors

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Several RSV vaccines are authorized for use in Canada. Depending on the vaccine, they may be available for older adults and younger adults who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease due to underlying health conditions or other risk factors.

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Recommendations continue to evolve as new evidence becomes available. Individuals should speak with a healthcare professional about whether RSV vaccination is appropriate for them and consult current public health guidance for the latest recommendations.

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In January 2023, Health Canada approved a new bivalent vaccine called Abrysvo^TM, which is made by Pfizer. In Canada, it is approved for use in pregnancy and for seniors aged 60 and over.

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Abrysvo^TM is a one-shot dose geared toward protecting two groups most severely affected by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): 

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• Newborns (who would receive antibodies through maternal immunization)
• Canadians over 60
  

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This new vaccine leverages a process called passive immunity. After receiving the vaccine, a pregnant woman develops antibodies against the vaccine, transferring them to her unborn baby through the placenta. Since young babies can’t make protective antibodies themselves until later in life, this transfer of antibodies offers them protection against RSV in their early life.

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Arexvy^TM: a vaccine for seniors (and maybe others)

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In August 2023, Health Canada approved the first RSV vaccine for seniors. A single dose of Arexvy^TM by drugmaker GSK was found to be nearly 83% effective at preventing RSV lung infections according to a 2023 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

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On February 26, 2024, GSK announced it had asked Health Canada to expand the use of Arexvy^TM to include 50 to 59-year-olds who are at increased risk of RSV. If approved, this would be the first vaccine available in Canada to help protect people in this age range.

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Monoclonal Antibodies: RSV Protection for Infants

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Long-acting monoclonal antibodies can help protect infants and young children from RSV. Unlike vaccines, which stimulate the body's immune system to produce antibodies, monoclonal antibodies provide antibodies directly to help protect against RSV infection.

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In Canada, nirsevimab (Beyfortus™) is authorized to protect infants during their first RSV season and certain children who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease during their second RSV season. Other monoclonal antibody options may also be available depending on a child's age and risk factors.

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Stop the Spread: Other Steps 

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Beyond hand washing and vaccination, there are steps to help prevent the spread of RSV. To slow down or stop the spread of this respiratory virus:

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• Avoid close contact with infected people
• Skip sharing cups, bottles, or toys used by anyone sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Sanitize frequently touched surfaces often, such as your phone

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For many people, RSV causes mild illness, but it can lead to serious complications for those at greater risk, including infants, older adults and people with certain underlying health conditions. Taking steps to reduce transmission — including appropriate mask use, good hand hygiene, staying home when sick and following current immunization recommendations — can help protect yourself and others.

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Avoid bringing it home by wearing a face mask when necessary, washing your hands often, asking your doctor about immunization, and taking other common sense precautions. 

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Looking for best practices to avoid the spread of respiratory infections? Check out more of our actionable guidance here. 

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References

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^1. Canadian Immunization Guide – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus.html  

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^2. NACI 2026 guidance – infants and children:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-summary-updated-guidance-infants-children-respiratory-syncytial-virus-use-monoclonal-antibodies-nirsevimab-clesrovimab-rsvpref-vaccine.html  

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