RSV Vaccine

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.

Who's at risk from RSV

RSV infections are very common. Almost all children get them at least once before they're 2 years old.

They're not usually serious, but some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill, particularly:

• babies under 6 months old
• young children who were born prematurely
• adults over 75 years
• babies, children and adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
• people who smoke tobacco and babies exposed to tobacco smoke

In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. This can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital.

RSV can also cause a serious lung infection (pneumonia) in babies and older adults.

How to avoid catching and spreading RSV

RSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.

There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting it or spreading it to anyone else, such as:

• wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly
• try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you've used them
• try to keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions

RSV vaccination

The RSV vaccine is recommended if:

• you're pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they're born
• you're aged 75 to 79

The vaccine helps reduce the risk of RSV causing serious problems such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

If you're aged 75 to 79, your GP surgery will contact you about getting vaccinated.

If you're 28 weeks pregnant or more, you can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting vaccinated.

Symptoms of an RSV infection

Symptoms of an RSV infection usually start within a few days of getting infected.

Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as:

• a runny or blocked nose
• a cough
• sneezing
• tiredness
• a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)

Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual.

If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:

• a cough that gets worse
• shortness of breath
• faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
• difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
• noisy breathing (wheezing)
• confusion (in older adults)

Cold-like symptoms are very common in babies and children. They're not usually a sign of anything serious and should get better within a few days.

But get medical help if you're worried your child is seriously ill.

Treatment for RSV infections

There's no specific treatment for an RSV infection.

It often gets better on its own in 1 or 2 weeks and 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.

Things you can do to ease symptoms of an RSV infection

If you or your child have mild RSV symptoms, there are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms.

Do

• take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a high temperature and are uncomfortable
• give your child children's paracetamol or children's ibuprofen if they have a high temperature and are uncomfortable – always check the leaflet to make sure it's suitable for your child
• try using saline nose drops from a pharmacy if your or your child's nose is blocked
• drink lots of fluids – try smaller feeds more often in babies, and give older children extra water or diluted fruit juice

Don't

• do not give aspirin to children under 16
• do not smoke around your child – children who breathe in cigarette smoke have a higher risk of getting serious RSV infections
• do not try to lower your child's temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off all their clothes