First Aid

Does your child or family member have cold-like symptoms, but with a fever?

Sore throat that doesn't go away? RSV is extremely contagious and therefore easily spread. It is also an easy test that can be performed by a GP or purchased from a chemist.

RSV is back, or did it really go away?

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.

Your child may only show symptoms of RSV infection several days after exposure to the virus.

Most cases of RSV infection will get better at home with lots of rest and fluids. However, RSV can cause more serious problems that may affect your child’s feeding and breathing. It is important to monitor your child’s symptoms.

Is RSV contagious?

RSV is very contagious. This means it spreads easily from one person to another. If your child has an RSV infection, they are most likely to pass the virus to other people for up to eight days after their symptoms start. They may even spread RSV one or two days before they show any signs of illness.

RSV spreads through droplets. When infected people talk, cough, or sneeze, they release droplets into the air or onto surfaces. The virus can live on surfaces like toys for many hours and on unwashed hands for up to 60 minutes.

Stopping the spread of RSV

It is hard to stop your child from spreading RSV – especially if they are young. Teaching them to practice good hygiene will help limit the spread to others.

Here are the best ways to avoid spreading RSV:

Do not let your child share drinks, cutlery or toys (if possible) while sick and clean or sanitise these items, along with surfaces, thoroughly between uses.
Encourage your child to cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
Teach your child to wash their hands often, including after blowing their nose.
Keep your child away from newborns or people with weakened immune systems while sick.

If your child is over two years old, face masks and physical distancing can help stop the spread of RSV. Masks are a choking risk in children under two years.

How to care for RSV at home

Keep your child home if they feel unwell or if they are coughing and sneezing a lot.
If your child feels well, they are coughing and sneezing much less, and they are eating and drinking, they can continue with normal activities like childcare and school.
Encourage your child to drink small amounts of fluids more often. If your child is under one year old, regularly give them small amounts of fluid like breastmilk, formula or water.
Try to make sure your child gets lots of rest.

Please follow this link to the RCH page for further information, or speak to your local doctor.