Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) typically causes mild cold-like symptoms in adults but can be more severe in which group?

• A. Adults
• B. Babies
• C. Elderly
• D. Healthy teens

Answer: (B)

RSV’s impact varies by age: in healthy adults it usually looks like a mild cold, but babies face a much higher risk of serious lower-respiratory problems. Infants have smaller airways and immature lungs, so RSV can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia with symptoms like wheezing, rapid breathing, and sometimes apnea. This often requires hospitalization for supportive care such as oxygen and fluids. While elderly individuals can also experience more severe illness than younger adults, the classic group in which RSV is most severe compared to adults is babies.