Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV infections are very common. Almost all children get them at least once before they're 2 years old.

They're not usually serious, but some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill, particularly:

  • babies under 6 months old
  • young children who were born prematurely
  • adults over 75 years
  • babies, children and adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
  • people who smoke tobacco and babies exposed to tobacco smoke

In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. This can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital.

RSV can also cause a serious lung infection (pneumonia) in babies and older adults.

RSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.

There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting it or spreading it to anyone else, such as:

  • wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly
  • try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
  • use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you've used them
  • try to keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions

RSV vaccination

The RSV vaccine is recommended if:

  • you're pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they're born
  • you're aged 75 to 79

The vaccine helps reduce the risk of RSV causing serious problems such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

If you're aged 75 to 79, your GP surgery will contact you about getting vaccinated.

If you're 28 weeks pregnant or more, you can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting vaccinated.

Injection for children at risk of serious infections

Young children with a very high risk of getting seriously ill from RSV may be given an injection of infection-fighting antibodies each winter.

This helps reduce the risk of RSV causing severe bronchiolitis. It's usually given in children's clinics in hospital.

Symptoms of an RSV infection usually start within a few days of getting infected.

Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as:

  • a runny or blocked nose
  • a cough
  • sneezing
  • tiredness
  • a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)

Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual.

If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:

  • a cough that gets worse
  • shortness of breath
  • faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
  • difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
  • noisy breathing (wheezing)
  • confusion (in older adults)

Cold-like symptoms are very common in babies and children. They're not usually a sign of anything serious and should get better within a few days.

But get medical help if you're worried your child is seriously ill.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • your child is unwell and it's getting worse
  • your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
  • your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration
  • your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, feels sweaty or is shivering
  • your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
  • you or a child aged 5 years or older has a temperature below 36C
  • your child is very tired or irritable
  • you get cold symptoms and you have a long-term medical condition (such as a heart or lung condition) or a weakened immune system (for example, because you're having chemotherapy)
  • you have difficulty breathing – you may be more short of breath than usual

Check symptoms on 111 online (for anyone aged 5 and over) or call 111 (for children under 5).

How to take a temperature

If you have a digital thermometer, you can use it to check if you or your child has a high temperature.

For more information about how to do this, see:

If you do not have a thermometer, look for signs such as the back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills).

Call 999 if:

  • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises, long pauses in their breathing or their tummy sucking under their ribs
  • you have severe difficulty breathing – you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out
  • you or your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
  • you or your child's lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands
  • your child is under 5 years and has a temperature below 36C

As a parent, you may know if your child seems seriously unwell and should trust your judgement.

Do not drive yourself to A&E if you are unwell.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

There's no specific treatment for an RSV infection.

It often gets better on its own in 1 or 2 weeks and you can usually look after yourself or your child at home.

Children and adults who get a more serious infection may need to be treated in hospital.

Treatment in hospital may include being given fluids to avoid dehydration or oxygen to help you breathe.

If you or your child have mild RSV symptoms, there are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms.

Do

  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a high temperature and are uncomfortable

  • give your child children's paracetamol or children's ibuprofen if they have a high temperature and are uncomfortable – always check the leaflet to make sure it's suitable for your child

  • try using saline nose drops from a pharmacy if your or your child's nose is blocked

  • drink lots of fluids – try smaller feeds more often in babies, and give older children extra water or diluted fruit juice

Don't

  • do not give aspirin to children under 16

  • do not smoke around your child – children who breathe in cigarette smoke have a higher risk of getting serious RSV infections

  • do not try to lower your child's temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off all their clothes