Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that can affect your lungs and airways. Most people who catch it only get mild, cold-like symptoms.

Now and then, though, RSV causes a severe lung infection. This can include:

• bronchiolitis (an infection of the small airways in the lungs)
• pneumonia

RSV infections peak in late autumn and winter, but you can catch the virus at any time of the year.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection often looks like a common cold. You may have:

• a runny nose
• a decreased appetite
• tiredness
• a cough
• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• fever
• croup
• a middle ear infection (otitis media)

A mild case of RSV can be treated at home, and you don't need to contact a healthcare professional.

• you have severe difficulty breathing, for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, or you are gasping or choking
• you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn't going away, and 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 harder 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)

• 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, which 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 doctor is closed, phone a doctor or the 16263 health line.

There's no specific treatment for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

A mild case normally gets better on its own and can be treated at home. You can ease the symptoms the same way you would for a cold. This could include:

• drinking plenty of fluids
• taking over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) spreads through the droplets that come out when someone coughs or sneezes. The virus can also stay alive on surfaces or objects for several hours.

A person with RSV is normally contagious for 1 to 2 days before any symptoms start. Most people stay contagious for 3 to 8 days. Some infants and people with weakened immune systems can stay contagious for up to 4 weeks.

RSV infection can happen to anyone. For most people it's a mild illness, much like a cold.

Some groups are more at risk of severe infection. They are:

• babies who were 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

• wash your hands often, especially before you touch your mouth or handle food
• sneeze and cough into tissues
• throw used tissues away straight away, then wash your hands
• clean surfaces regularly
• use your own cup, plates, cutlery and kitchen utensils

• don't share towels with someone who has cold-like symptoms
• don't let your child share toys with someone who has cold-like symptoms