Page last updated
10 December 2024
FAQ
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
Sources & Citations
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).
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/national-data-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-released (accessed November 2024).
MAT-AU-2402202-1.0 – 12/2024
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