What is RSV and why can it be dangerous for young children?

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly infectious virus that can cause serious illness in children under the age of 12 months.

RSV is the most common cause of respiratory and breathing infections in children and can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and may trigger symptoms in children with asthma.

Easy to transmit, it often occurs in childcare settings. Most children will catch RSV at least once before they turn two.

A young boy with RSV cleans his nose with a tissue

In older children, it generally causes minor cold-like illness which can be treated with plenty of rest and fluids, but it can cause serious illness in infants and younger children.

Like many other respiratory virus infections such as colds and the flu, RSV most often occurs when the weather turns cooler, however it can occur all year round.

What are the symptoms?

If a child has RSV they can have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • a runny nose
  • cough
  • wheezing
  • fever
  • sore throat
  • headache.

Symptoms may last for up to 10 days.

A person with RSV is normally infectious from when they start to show symptoms to 7-10 days after symptoms develop.

It’s important not to send your child to day care or school if they are unwell, to protect other children.

If you or your child are feeling very unwell or experiencing breathing difficulties, you should seek immediate medical attention.

How is RSV spread?

Children with RSV are usually able to pass the virus onto others (infectious) for eight days from the start of their symptoms. RSV is very contagious and can live on surfaces for several hours, and on unwashed hands for 30–60 minutes. RSV spreads quickly and easily among children through coughing and sneezing and sharing cups and other objects that have been in contact with the infected child's mouth, nose or eyes.

A person wearing orange and yellow rubber gloves cleans a red toy truck with wipes

It can be difficult to stop the spread of RSV, however, practicing good hygiene will help avoid passing any virus onto others.

  • Don't allow children to share drinks, cutlery or toys (whenever possible) and ensure these items are cleaned thoroughly with soap and water between uses.
  • Encourage your child to cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
  • It is very important that you and/or your child wash their hands once they have blown their nose to stop the germs from spreading.
  • Wash your hands after having any contact with someone who has symptoms of a cold.

If your child has RSV (or cold-like symptoms), it is important to keep them away from newborn babies or people who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system).

A woman taking care of her little boy who is sick with RSV at home while on the phone to the doctor

Care at home

Most cases of RSV are mild and can be treated with rest at home. If your child has RSV:

  • Keep them home if they feel unwell. If they feel well and are not coughing and sneezing, they can continue with their normal activities (kindergarten, school etc.).
  • Encourage your child to drink small amounts of fluids more frequently. If an infant has RSV, give them small amounts of fluid (breastmilk, formula or water) regularly.
  • See the fact sheet Fever in children for advice on managing your child's fever if it is causing them discomfort.

When to see a doctor

Take your child to the GP if:

  • they have a high temperature (fever) and do not look well
  • their nose is filled with mucus and they are having difficulty feeding
  • the cough becomes worse, or your child starts coughing up mucus
  • your child is dehydrated
  • they are a baby and refusing to breast or bottle feed and are irritable.
Call an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if your child is turning blue, having trouble breathing, or is breathing very quickly.

A little girl sick with RSV receiving oxygen in hospital through a mask

After seeing your child, the doctor may ask to review your child again the following day. Take them back sooner if your child:

  • is having more difficulty breathing or breathing faster
  • is looking more unwell
  • is not taking at least half of their normal fluids
  • has a cough that is getting worse.

Free RSV immunisations

Starting no later than 1 May 2024, all newborn babies can get a free RSV immunisation.

Your baby or infant may also be able to get it if they’re:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants under 8 months
  • infants with certain complex medical conditions under 8 months
  • infants with certain complex medical conditions 8 months up to 19 months of age, until 31 October 2024.

The immunisation isn’t a vaccine. Vaccines tell a person's immune system to make antibodies. The RSV immunisation has pre-made antibodies that instantly protect your child against the infection.

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