Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common virus that affects the lungs and airways. Most people only get mild, cold-like symptoms from it.
Sometimes, though, RSV can lead to more serious lung infections, such as:
- bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways in the lungs)
- pneumonia
Cases of RSV are most common in late autumn and winter, though it can occur at any time of year.
Read more about the RSV vaccine for older adults
Read more about the RSV vaccine during pregnancy
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
When to get medical advice
Phone 999 if:
- you have severe difficulty breathing – for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
- you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
- you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
- you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
- your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands
Information on breathing problems in children
Phone your GP immediately if you:
- are more short of breath than usual
- have pain when breathing in or coughing
- are feeling confused, dizzy, or lightheaded
- feel sick or are being sick – for example, you can’t keep food or fluids down
- are coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- have heart palpitations – this may feel like your heart is racing, going too slowly or skipping a beat or like a fluttering feeling in your chest
- are peeing less than usual – this can be a sign of dehydration
- have a very high or low temperature – for example, you feel either hot or cold to touch or you’re shivering
If your GP is closed, phone 111.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Call 999 straight away if:
- you have severe difficulty breathing, for example you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
- you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn't going away; it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
- you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
- you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
- your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey; on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands
Information on breathing problems in children
Phone your GP immediately if you:
- are more short of breath than usual
- have pain when breathing in or coughing
- are feeling confused, dizzy, or lightheaded
- feel sick or are being sick, for example you can't keep food or fluids down
- are coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- have heart palpitations; this may feel like your heart is racing, going too slowly or skipping a beat, or like a fluttering feeling in your chest
- are peeing less than usual, which can be a sign of dehydration
- have a very high or low temperature, for example you feel either hot or cold to touch or you're shivering
If your GP is closed, phone 111.
Causes
RSV spreads through droplets from coughing and sneezing, and it can survive on surfaces or objects for several hours.
A person with RSV is usually contagious for 1 to 2 days before symptoms begin, and most stay contagious for 3 to 8 days. Some infants and people with weakened immune systems may remain contagious for up to 4 weeks.
Who is most at risk of RSV
Anyone can get RSV, and for most people it stays a mild illness similar to a cold. Some groups face a higher risk of severe infection:
- babies born prematurely
- children under 2 years of age
- people with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease
- people with weakened immune systems
- adults over 65 years of age
Treatment
There's no specific treatment for RSV.
Mild RSV usually gets better on its own and can be managed at home. Ease the symptoms the same way you would for a cold:
- drink plenty of fluids
- take an over-the-counter pain reliever like paracetamol or ibuprofen
Read more about treating a common cold
Prevention
How to prevent RSV
There are things you can do to help prevent RSV infection.
Do
- wash your hands often, especially before touching your mouth or handling food
- sneeze and cough into tissues
- throw used tissues away immediately and then wash your hands
- clean surfaces regularly
- use your own cup, plates, cutlery and kitchen utensils
Don’t
- do not share towels with someone who has cold-like symptoms
- do not let your child share toys with someone who has cold-like symptoms
RSV vaccination
The RSV vaccination programme helps protect babies and older adults from the RSV virus.
The vaccine will be offered:
- to older adults
- during pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards)
Read more about the RSV vaccine for older adults
Read more about the RSV vaccine during pregnancy
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