Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Alternate name: RSV
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Fact sheet - Health conditions directory
Australian CDC fact sheets
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19 circulate seasonally in Queensland. Vaccination, staying home when unwell and practicing good respiratory hygiene can help reduce the spread of illness.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that infects the airways and lungs. RSV spreads easily from person to person and often causes mild cold-like illness.
Most people recover within a few days to a week. However, RSV can cause more severe disease in infants, older adults and people with underlying medical conditions. In babies, RSV may cause bronchiolitis or pneumonia and may require hospital care.
Vaccination and immunisation products are available for some groups at higher risk of severe RSV illness.
Public health management guidelines
Notification
Pathology laboratories
- Notification criteria for pathology laboratories (PDF, 55kB)
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions
Resources for health professionals
Immunisation
- Queensland Health Immunisation Schedule
- Vaccination Matters Queensland
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
Clinical guidance
- Queensland Health Infection prevention and control guidance
- Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
Outbreak management guidance
- National guideline for the prevention, control and public health management of outbreaks of acute respiratory infection in RACH | Australian CDC
- Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services
Epidemiological data and reports
View communicable diseases data for notifiable conditions in Queensland.