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Fact sheet: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants under one year of age.
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.
Infections may recur throughout life.In South Australia, infections are most common during autumn and winter.
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.
Most RSV cases present with a mild to moderate respiratory illness, but some groups of people may develop more severe disease.
Primary infection with RSV – most often seen in infants and young children aged under 2 years – is generally more severe than subsequent infections at older ages.
RSV is also an important cause of respiratory disease and hospitalisation in older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and people with conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV disease.
Clinical features typically include:
Babies aged under 6 months can present with more severe clinical features, including:
Serious complications of RSV infection at any age can include:
RSV is usually diagnosed through laboratory testing by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This test involves taking samples from the nose and throat.
(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)
The average incubation period is 5 days, with a range of 2 to 8 days.
(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.
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 people at risk may require admission to hospital 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.
RSV vaccines are recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and adults ages 60 – 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV.
There are two immunisations recommended to protect infants from severe RSV: