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First Aid

RSV – What is it??

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Key points

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that infects the lungs and airways.
  • RSV is the most common cause of respiratory infections in children.
  • Symptoms of infection from RSV often include a runny nose, coughing, wheezing and fever.
  • Most cases of RSV infection are mild and will get better at home with rest and fluids.
  • RSV spreads very easily; teach your child to practice good hygiene.
  • Try to keep your child away from newborn babies and people with weak immune systems while they have symptoms.
  • Your child can go to childcare, kindergarten or school if they feel okay and their symptoms have improved.
  • In Australia, there is now a free RSV immunisation program to protect babies from RSV.

 

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

Respiratory syncytial (sin-city-al) virus (RSV) is a virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs. It is the most common cause of respiratory tract (breathing passage) infections in children.

Anyone can get RSV – not just children. It is a very infectious virus. Most kids have had RSV at some stage by their second birthday, and it is possible to catch RSV more than once.

 

What is the difference between a cold and RSV?

RSV is one of many viruses that can cause respiratory infections, including the common cold. It is not a separate illness. In most cases, RSV causes a mild cold with symptoms like a runny nose and cough that gets better in one or two weeks. However, the virus can lead to more serious conditions in some children, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia – particularly in babies under one year old and those with risk factors like prematurity and chronic lung disease. It can also make existing problems like asthma worse.

 

Signs and symptoms of RSV

In most children, RSV normally causes a mild infection, with symptoms lasting between one to two weeks. The most common symptoms caused by an RSV infection are:

  • runny nose
  • cough
  • wheeze
  • trouble breathing
  • fever.

 

For more information, click on this link; https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/respiratory_syncytial_virus_rsv/