Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] infection is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants under 1 year of age. Bronchiolitis is inflammation of small air passages in the lungs and pneumonia is inflammation of the lung tissue itself. Almost all children will get RSV infection at least once by 2 years of age. RSV infection may cause respiratory [lung] disease at any age and can be severe among the elderly and people of
any age with heart, lung or immune system problems. Infections may recur throughout life. In South Australia, infections are most common during winter and early spring. RSV is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets containing infectious agents into the air. The droplets in the air may be breathed in by those nearby. Infection may be spread by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected nose
and throat discharges. The virus survives outside of the body for a few hours and is easily killed by soap and water or disinfectants. The first symptoms are usually: Ear infections are common. Pneumonia and bronchiolitis often follow, especially in infants. Most children recover from the illness in 8 to 15 days, but some require hospitalisation,
mostly in the very young age group [below 6 months of age]. Diagnosis can be made by direct detection or isolation of the virus from respiratory secretions or by blood tests.How RSV infection is spread
Signs and symptoms of RSV infection
Diagnosis of RSV infection
Incubation period
[time between becoming infected and developing symptoms]
The average incubation period is 5 days, with a range of 2 to 8 days.
Infectious period
[time during which an infected person can infect others]
The infectious period is unclear but is probably from before symptoms start until recovery. Most people recover from the infection within about 10 days.
Treatment for RSV infection
There is usually no need for treatment other than paracetamol for fever and maintaining adequate fluid intake. Aspirin should not be given to children under 12 years of age unless specifically recommended by a doctor.
Very ill children and elderly people may require admission to hospital [less than 3% of children with RSV require this] and treatment is supportive. Because RSV is a virus, antibiotics do not help. There are no safe and effective antiviral drugs for routine use for RSV.
Prevention of RSV infection
- Exclude people with RSV from childcare, preschool, school and work until they are well.
- There is currently no vaccine available.
- Frequent hand washing is the most effective means of preventing spread, as the virus is easily killed by soap and water.
- Avoid sharing cups, glasses and eating utensils with people who have respiratory infections.
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or your arm. Drop used tissues immediately into a rubbish bin, and then wash your hands.
Useful links
- Hand hygiene
- Exclusion periods from childcare, preschool, school and work
Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] is a common, and very contagious, virus that infects the respiratory tract of most children before their second birthday. For most babies and young
children, the infection causes nothing more than a cold. But for a small percentage, infection with RSV can lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening problems such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways of the lungs. RSV infection can cause cold-like symptoms, including a cough and runny nose, which usually last 1 to 2 weeks. When
to see a doctor: Call your baby's doctor if you notice any of the following RSV symptoms: If your
baby is very tired, breathes rapidly, has difficulty in breathing, or has a blue tint to their lips or fingernails, call 911 or go to the ER immediately. Respiratory syncytial virus spreads through the air, like after a cough or a sneeze, and through direct contact like touching. The chance of a severe infection is highest for: To diagnose RSV, your child’s doctor will probably look at their medical history and do a physical exam, including listening to their lungs. Your doctor might do some tests
if your child is very sick or in order to rule out other problems. Tests for RSV include:What Is Respiratory Syncytial Virus [RSV]?
RSV Symptoms
RSV Causes and Risk Factors
RSV Diagnosis
Steps you can take to try to avoid and prevent RSV include: There’s no vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus. But a
medication called palivizumab may prevent RSV infections and protect high-risk babies from serious complications of RSV infection. If your baby is at high risk, your doctor may give them a monthly shot of it during peak RSV season. Although
palivizumab may help prevent serious complications of RSV infection, doctors don’t use it to treat RSV. No medication treats the virus itself. So caring for a baby with RSV infection involves treating the symptoms and how it affects your baby’s respiratory system. Most babies and young children can be cared for at home: Babies with more serious cases may need to go to a hospital, where their treatment may include:RSV Prevention
RSV Treatments