Skip to content

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a common virus that spreads in autumn and winter. Almost all children have had RSV by the time they are two years old. It is common for older children and adults to have the virus again.

For most people, RSV causes a mild illness, such as a cough or cold. However, babies under one year of age and older adults are at risk of becoming very unwell. Sometimes, people who get ill from RSV infection need to go to hospital. RSV can be more dangerous for some people, especially those with certain health conditions. It may even cause death. 

RSV illness puts extra pressure on the NHS during winter. The number of people needing hospital care because of RSV has gone up in the last 20 years.

How is RSV spread? 

RSV is spread through close contact with infected people. When infected people cough or sneeze, they release tiny droplets containing the virus into the air. RSV can also be spread by people touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them. Most people will have had the virus before as a child. However, having a previous RSV infection may not mean you continue to be protected, so you could get RSV again. 

To help stop RSV and other viruses spreading, remember to:  

  1. Step 1:Catch it

    Use a tissue when you sneeze or cough.

  2. Step 2:Bin it

    Put the tissue in the bin as soon as possible.

  3. Step 3:Kill it

    Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser.

    Keep your environment (for example, hard surfaces) clean.

Who is at most risk from RSV?

Babies under one year of age and older adults are at risk of becoming very unwell.  

Other people are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, such as:  

  • babies who are born early  
  • people who have severe lung or heart disease, and  
  • those with a weakened immune system. 

What are the symptoms of an RSV infection?

RSV infection causes symptoms similar to a cold. These include:  

  • a cough  
  • a runny or blocked nose  
  • sneezing, and  
  • tiredness.  

In some cases, RSV can cause wheezing, shortness of breath or a fever, and may lead to pneumonia (infection of the lungs).   

What are the symptoms of RSV in babies?

The most common symptoms of RSV include: 

  • a runny or blocked nose 
  • a fever 
  • rapid or noisy breathing  
  • a wet-sounding, chesty cough   
  • tiredness 
  • being unsettled or difficult to comfort, and 
  • difficulty feeding.  

Babies are also at risk of getting lung infections such as:  

RSV may also cause other conditions in young children, for example: 

RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in young babies. Bronchiolitis is a lung infection which makes it difficult to breathe and feed. It affects babies and children under two and can usually be treated at home. However, in some cases it can be severe and your child may need intensive care. It can sometimes lead to death. 

Learn more

If you would like to learn more about the vaccine, or the diseases they protect against a number of information resources are available to help below.

You can also call NHS 111 or your GP practice for advice if you have any questions.

Further information

Resources

View all

Reports

No data found for this topic

Data

No data found for this topic