What is RSV? | Symptoms of RSV | Management of RSV | Prevention of RSV
What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and who is most at risk?1
RSV is a common, potentially dangerous and highly contagious virus that can affect the airways and lungs of an infected individual. In many cases, RSV infection is relatively mild, and people will recover from infection on their own. However, sometimes RSV infection can progress to the lower respiratory tract – the airways and lungs – where it can cause more severe symptoms and illness.2
RSV can cause serious illness in some, with babies and older adults being at higher risk, particularly:
Babies under 6 months old
Children born prematurely
Older adults
Babies, children and older adults with a weakened immune system or long-term lung or heart condition
In babies, RSV is a common cause of bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways that can cause significant breathing difficulties.3
In England it's estimated that, each year, in infants under 6 months of age, RSV leads to:4
In adults, the risk of severe disease related to RSV increases with age and can cause severe illness, such as pneumonia.5
Each year, in the UK, RSV infection causes illness in older adults (65+) that results in:6
RSV can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).7
People often don’t realise they have an RSV infection because symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases such as colds or flu.8,9 Symptoms of RSV usually start within a few days of getting infected. Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as:
A runny or blocked nose
Sneezing
A cough
Tiredness
A high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, feeling sweaty and shivering (chills)
In older adults, RSV can lead to a more serious infection, and you should consult your healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
A cough that gets worse
Shortness of breath
Faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
Loss of appetite
Noisy breathing (wheezing)
Confusion
Young babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual. They may have difficulty breathing and feeding and be difficult to comfort and settle.
Parents should seek medical help for their baby if the infant:9
Has had a cold and the symptoms are getting worse
Is feeding or eating much less than normal
Has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more (a sign of dehydration)
Is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C or higher
Is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
You should seek urgent medical help for yourself or an infant by calling 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.
Management and prevention
There is no specific treatment for RSV, and it often gets better on its own within a week or two. 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.
Healthcare providers recommend using treatments you’d typically use for a cold. For example, you might:
Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications (like paracetamol or ibuprofen) to bring down a fever - always check the leaflet to make sure it's suitable
Try using saline nose drops to relieve congestion if you or your child’s nose is blocked
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
The goal is to manage symptoms while the infection runs its course.
Similar to other viruses such as colds and flu, you can help stop the spread of RSV through good hygiene practices.
RSV spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Individuals can also become infected by touching objects that the virus has landed on, such as tables or crib rails.10
RSV can survive on surfaces for extended periods of time, including furniture (7 hours), skin (30 minutes), fabrics (2 hours) and gloves (5 hours).11
People infected with RSV are often contagious for 3-8 days, with some continuing to be contagious for weeks.10,11
Everyone can help to stop the spread of RSV by:1,10
Washing their hands often
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
Trying to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth if their hands are not clean
Covering coughs and sneezes, ideally with a disposable tissue, otherwise into the bend of their elbow
Even when taking measures to help stop the spread of RSV, it can be difficult to avoid RSV infection9
Vaccination or antibody injections may be an option for older adults, pregnant women, and certain high-risk infants to help protect vulnerable populations against RSV infection by boosting the body’s immunity.9
Speak to your GP practice, health team or maternity service about prevention options.
Older Adults
RSV vaccination can help to protect older adults as they reach an age where they are at a higher risk of serious infection.12
Pregnancy
Maternal immunisation boosts the immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus. The antibodies then pass through the placenta to help protect the baby from birth, and during the most vulnerable time of their life, the first six months. By giving a pregnant woman an RSV vaccine, the baby can receive antibodies that can help to protect them from RSV when they are born.9,13
High Risk Infants
Young children at a very high risk of getting seriously ill from RSV infection may be offered an injection of antibodies to help reduce the risk of severe bronchiolitis.1
Vaccination or immunisation may not be appropriate for all eligible individuals and the benefit-risk profile must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. It is for individuals and their healthcare professionals to discuss their options and what is right for them.
References