Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the common infections that cause coughs and colds in winter. Almost all children get them at least once before they are two years old.
It’s a common seasonal winter virus which can cause mild respiratory infection in adults and children, but it may be severe in infants who are at increased risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection. Due to Covid-19 and the protection guidelines, such as social distancing, there has been a reduction in respiratory infections meaning young children have never been exposed to these common viruses.
The RSV/bronchiolitis season in the UK typically begins in the autumn, earlier than the adult flu season, and runs through winter. Around the world, evidence of unseasonal outbreaks of these infections has emerged as measures such as social distancing and mask wearing have been relaxed.
Complications in infants
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in children aged under 2 years. Bronchiolitis can make the airways inflamed and fill with mucus, making it harder to breathe.
The early symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to those of a common cold, such as a runny nose and a cough.
Further symptoms can develop over the next few days, and may include:
- a slight high temperature (fever)
- a dry and persistent cough
- difficulty feeding
- rapid or noisy breathing (wheezing)
You should seek emergency medical care by calling 999 if your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises, long pauses in their breathing and sucking their tummy under the ribs, floppiness, lips/skin turning very pale, blue or grey.
Dial 999 for an ambulance if:
- your baby is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises, long pauses in their breathing or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
- your baby’s tongue or lips are turning very pale, blue or grey. On brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of their hands.
- there are long pauses in your baby’s breathing.
- your child is under 5 years old has a temperature below 36C.
Trust your judgement, if your child seems seriously unwell seek urgent medical help.
Most cases of bronchiolitis are not serious, but you should contact your GP or call NHS 111 if:
- you’re worried about your child
- your child is unwell and it’s getting worse
- your child has taken less than half their usual amount of feed during the last 24 hours, or they have had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration
- your child is under 3 months and has a persistent high temperature of 38C or above, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
- your child seems very tired or irritable.
Most cases are not serious and clear up within 2 to 3 weeks, but the symptoms can be very worrying for parents. RSV is a virus, so antibiotics may not be an effective treatment. For some infants and babies, such as those born prematurely or with a heart condition, bronchiolitis can be more severe. If you have any concerns, contact your health visiting team or GP.
Preventing infection
Good hygiene can reduce the spread of these infections. Make sure you carry tissues and use them to catch coughs or sneezes, bin the used tissues as soon as possible and wash your hands with soap and warm water for twenty seconds to kill the germs.
Children with flu or bronchiolitis symptoms should stay home and reduce contacts where possible.
It is perfectly okay for parents to ask people with colds to keep away from newborn babies, especially those born prematurely, particularly in the first two months.
