Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Overview
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.
Symptoms
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 nosea coughsneezingtirednessa 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 worseshortness of breathfaster breathing or long gaps between breathsdifficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetitenoisy 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. If you or your child have mild RSV symptoms, there are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms. takeparacetamoloribuprofenif you have a high temperature and are uncomfortable takeparacetamoloribuprofenif you have a high temperature and are uncomfortable give your childchildren's paracetamolorchildren's ibuprofenif they have a high temperature and are uncomfortable – always check the leaflet to make sure it's suitable for your child give your childchildren's paracetamolorchildren's ibuprofenif 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 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 drink lots of fluids – try smaller feeds more often in babies, and give older children extra water or diluted fruit juice do not give aspirin to children under 16 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 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 do not try to lower your child's temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off all their clothes
Treatment
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.
Prevention
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 others, such as: washing or wiping down toys and cleaning surfaces regularlynot touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not cleanusing disposable tissues and throwing them away as soon as you've used themtrying to keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu, especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions