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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a highly infectious seasonal virus, with children under 5 years and adults over 60 years at particular risk.

Page last updated 10 December 2024

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly infectious virus that causes respiratory infections. While it can affect people of all ages, infants and older adults are most at risk of serious illness.1

Most RSV infections are mild. However, in some cases, infection can lead to severe lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) which can be life-threatening.2,3

There are immunisations and vaccines available to protect against serious illness caused by RSV. Ask your healthcare professional about the best way to protect against RSV.1

Commonly asked questions

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a common, highly infectious virus that causes respiratory infections affecting the nose, throat and lungs.5,6 While adults can be infected, it mostly affects young children in the autumn and winter, with near universal exposure in all children in Australia by the age of 3.7

RSV infection is most severe in very young infants and the older adult population. RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation for Australian infants and children under 5 years.8 It can also make older adults very sick, particularly those with heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems.1

How is RSV spread?

RSV is highly contagious and is spread through respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can be infected by either breathing in these respiratory droplets, or by touching a surface contaminated with the droplets. RSV can survive on hard surfaces including toys, cribs and utensils for several hours.6 

RSV is a seasonal virus which spreads predominantly in the autumn and winter with infections peaking in July and August, in temperate climates. In tropical regions, such as northern parts of Queensland, RSV may spread year-round.9

What factors increase the risk of RSV?

All children and adults are at risk of RSV. Up to 79% of children admitted to hospital with the infection are healthy and have no underlying medical conditions.10-12

    Despite everyone being at risk, there are some factors which may increase the likelihood of infection and developing severe illness from RSV:

    1. Age.

    • Babies aged under 12 months, especially those under 6 months, have underdeveloped immune systems and smaller, more fragile airways.13,14
    • Older adults are more susceptible to severe infection. This is because the immune system becomes less effective with age.4,13

    2. Underlying health conditions.

    • Children aged 2 years and under with conditions such as chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease are more at risk.1 
    • Older adults with conditions such as chronic heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems are more at risk.1 

    3. Pre-term delivery or low birth weight.

    • Children 2 years and under born pre-term or with a low birth weight have an increased risk of infection.1

    4. Month of birth.

    • Babies born before or at the start of the RSV season are exposed to RSV for the entire season, which may increase their risk of RSV infection.1
    What are the symptoms of RSV?

     

      RSV typically infects the upper respiratory tract. This means for most people, symptoms are mild and similar to the common cold:1

      • Sneezing
      • Running nose
      • Cough
      • Fever
      • Decreased appetite

      Call Triple Zero (000) or go to a hospital emergency department if you experience:4

      • Shortness of breath
      • High fever
      • Blue-coloured skin
      • Wheezing and worsening cough

      For babies, symptoms can include:1

      • Wheezing
      • Shortness of breath
      • Irritability
      • Poor feeding

      Call Triple Zero (000) or go to a hospital emergency department if your baby shows severe symptoms:1

      • Difficulty breathing
      • Grunting noises
      • Dehydration (not taking in enough fluid)
      • Blue-coloured lips or skin
      How can RSV be prevented?

      The most effective way to reduce the risk of spreading RSV infection is through good hygiene including practicing regular hand washing, and staying at home if you or your child develops cold or flu-like symptoms.1

      Immunisations and vaccines are available for pregnant women, infants and some toddlers, and adults aged 60 years and over.1

      Speak with your healthcare professional for further information regarding prevention of RSV related illness.

      Sources & Citations

      MAT-AU-2402202-1.0 – 12/2024

      1. NSW Government. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 2024. Available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/respiratory-syncytial-virus.aspx (accessed November 2024).
      2. Eiland LS. Respiratory syncytial virus: diagnosis, treatment and prevention. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2009;14(2):75–85.
      3. Smith DK, et al. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Children. Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(2):94–99.
      4. Lung Foundation Australia. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). 2024. Available at: https://lungfoundation.com.au/patients-carers/living-with-a-lung-disease/other-lung-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/ (accessed November 2024).
      5. Drajac C, et al. Pulmonary Susceptibility of Neonates to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: A Problem of Innate Immunity?. J Immunol Res. 2017;2017:8734504.
      6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RSV transmission. 2022. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/causes/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmissi on.html (accessed November 2024).
      7. Brusco NK, et al. The 2018 annual cost burden for children under five years of age hospitalised with respiratory syncytial virus in Australia. Commun Dis Intell (2018). 2022;46:10.33321/cdi.2022.46.5.
      8. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. National data on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) released. 2019. Available at: https://ncirs.org.au/nationaldata-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-released (accessed November 2024).
      9. Hogan AB, et al. Time series analysis of RSV and bronchiolitis seasonality in temperate and tropical Western Australia. Epidemics. 2016;16:49–55. 
      10. Hall CB, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus-associated hospitalizations among children less than 24 months of age. Pediatrics. 2013;132(2):e341–8.
      11. Arriola CS, et al. Estimated Burden of Community-Onset Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Children Aged <2 Years in the United States, 2014-15. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2020;9(5):587–95.
      12. Rha B, et al. Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Young Children: 2015-2016. Pediatrics. 2020;146(1):e20193611.
      13. Simon AK et al. Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age. Proc Biol Sci. 2015;282(1821):20143085.
      14. Di Cicco M et al. Structural and functional development in airways throughout childhood: Children are not small adults. Pediatr Pulmonol 2021;56(1):240–251.
      15. Mira‐Iglesias A, et al. Role of age and birth month in infants hospitalized with RSV-confirmed disease in the Valencia Region, Spain. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2022;16(2):328–39.