According to the CDC WeChat official account, it is a critical period of seasonal change, and the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has also entered an active period. Here are 5 core knowledge points for identifying and preventing RSV, to help you and your family cope with the RSV epidemic season scientifically. Identifying RSV infection and distinguishing symptoms, early detection and response to RSV infection. The symptoms of RSV infection are similar to those of the common cold, mostly upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, with or without fever, hoarseness voice, etc. The symptoms last for 2-4 days, and most patients can recover within 1-2 weeks; A small number of cases may develop into severe illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis, which are more common in infants, young children, and the elderly. Understand the high-risk population for RSV infection, with a focus on preventing everyone from being infected with RSV and experiencing repeated infections. However, infants and young children under 5 years old (especially those under 2 years old), elderly people over 65 years old (especially those with chronic underlying diseases or low immunity), and individuals with immune deficiencies have a higher risk of developing severe infections after infection and require special attention. Be aware of the peak season of RSV epidemic and timely prevent and control RSV throughout the year in China. The RSV epidemic season in China is mainly concentrated from autumn and winter to spring of the following year (usually from October to March), with the peak of the epidemic mostly from November to January. There are slight differences between the south and north, and due to the impact of other infectious disease outbreaks, the peak of RSV epidemic may undergo short-term changes. Seeking medical attention and prognosis: The timing of seeking medical attention should be clearly defined, and a scientific view should be taken of the recovery of RSV infection. Most cases have a good prognosis. If symptoms such as persistent high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty, persistent wheezing, refusal to eat (in infants and young children), poor mental state, or blurred consciousness worsen, regardless of age, it is necessary to immediately go to the respiratory or pediatric department of the hospital for diagnosis through pathogen examination. Most patients can recover on their own within 1-2 weeks after infection. Timely treatment for high-risk and susceptible populations can lead to smooth recovery for most, but a small number may also cause serious complications such as respiratory failure, heart failure, and even life-threatening situations. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce the risk of infection. RSV is mainly transmitted through droplets and contact, with strong infectivity. There is currently no widely used RSV vaccine worldwide, and targeted preventive measures are mainly used, such as wearing masks when going out; Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to prevent droplets from spreading; Wash hands frequently and avoid touching mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, and eyes with unclean hands; Regularly open windows for ventilation; Regularly wipe and clean high-frequency contact items such as furniture and toys; High risk individuals should avoid crowded places as much as possible. (New Society)