Test guide
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Tests
RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. Your respiratory tract includes your lungs, nose, and throat. RSV testing checks a fluid sample from your nose to see if the virus is in your body and causing symptoms of a respiratory infection.
What it is for
An RSV test is used to see if RSV is the cause of moderate to severe cold symptoms in infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. People with mild symptoms may be tested as part of public health efforts to track the spread of the virus. The test is usually done during the "RSV season," the time of year when RSV outbreaks are more common. In the United States, RSV season usually starts in mid-fall and ends in early spring, but the season may vary in different parts of the country. Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Medical test information is public domain. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Limitations
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also known as
- respiratory syncytial antibody test, RSV rapid detection
Reviewed products
Curated product links for this test are still under editorial review. Meanwhile, browse the product directory or request a supplier match below.