• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Disease Issues

Does RSV have a typical season?

In most temperate regions of the continental United States and other areas with similar climates, RSV season typically begins in the fall and peaks in the winter, generally circulating between October and the end of March. However, the timing and severity of RSV season in a given community can vary from year to year. RSV seasonality was temporarily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread changes in social interactions and infection control practices (e.g., mask wearing, social distancing).

U.S. states and territories with very different weather patterns from the continental United States (e.g., Alaska, and areas with tropical weather patterns, such as Hawaii, southern Florida, Puerto Rico, and other island territories) may experience very different patterns of local RSV circulation. For this reason, public health and healthcare authorities in those areas may issue different recommendations for appropriate timing of RSV prevention strategies (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies).

Last reviewed: January 22, 2024

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