Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract, usually causing cold-like symptoms.

RSV can affect people of all ages.

Most people with RSV recover within 10 days and symptoms get better on their own. RSV can cause serious illness in some pēpi and tamariki. Those with the highest risk of getting very sick from RSV include children who:

• are very young (less than six months old)
• were born premature
• have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised)
• have heart or lung conditions
• are around people who smoke
• are living in cold, damp houses.

RSV is a common virus usually causing cold-like symptoms. Symptoms include coughing, fever (higher than 38 degrees Celsius), runny nose, and headaches.

Some young pēpi may not have symptoms as noticeable – they may simply be more irritable or not as active.

In more serious cases of RSV, pēpi and tamariki can develop bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small breathing tubes of the lungs) or pneumonia (infection of the lung). These serious conditions can cause high fever (more than 39 degrees Celsius), wheezing, severe cough, trouble breathing (faster breathing and working extra hard to catch their breath). Young pēpi may also have trouble feeding because of their breathing difficulties.

If you are concerned, call PlunketLine or seek immediate medical care. If your child has severe symptoms, especially if they are having difficulty breathing, take them to a hospital or call 111.

There is no specific treatment for RSV.

Most cases of RSV are mild and tamariki can be cared for at home. However, an RSV-related infection can be more serious for babies.

Antibiotics aren't used because RSV is a virus and antibiotics work only against bacteria.

If you are caring for tamariki with a mild RSV infection at home:

• keep them home until all symptoms have resolved
• offer smaller feeds more frequently for pēpi as they may not be able to feed for as long as usual 
• encourage tamariki to rest as much as possible 
• keep the environment smokefree, warm and dry 
• remember to put pēpi to sleep on their back in their own safe sleep space – do not prop them up with pillows or blankets 
• if your pēpi or tamariki are really miserable and upset you can give paracetamol. Do not give paracetamol to pēpi younger than 3 months unless prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Always follow dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose. 
• If you are concerned about your child, PlunketLine is available 24/7 on 0800 933 922, or consult your usual healthcare provider.

If you think your child has RSV, call PlunketLine or see a health professional.

See a health professional urgently if you are worried, or if your child:

• is less than 3 months old 
• is having trouble breathing 
• is having less than half of their normal feeds 
• has fewer wet nappies than usual 
• looks unwell 
• is vomiting. 

Call 111 if your pēpi or child: 

• is blue around the mouth 
• is struggling to breathe (faster breathing or working extra hard to catch their breath) 
• is hard to wake 
• is very pale 
• is floppy 
• has breathing that isn’t regular or pauses in their breathing. 

Always seek help, even if you’ve already seen a health professional, if your child’s breathing gets worse or you are worried.

We reached out to Dr Emma Best, paediatrician and infectious disease specialist, to answer this question. She said:

"There are no known fatal effects from maternal infection with RSV in pregnancy. In most adults it causes a common cold-type illness (or no illness). It is not like influenza with known worse outcomes in pregnancy. Like other viruses, the protection pregnant women create against RSV is important in protecting the newborn baby in the first month or so of life."

RSV spreads easily from person to person through touch or droplets in the air. The virus can also live for hours on hard surfaces. You can take simple precautions to protect pēpi and tamariki:

• careful and frequent handwashing
• keeping pēpi and young tamariki away from people who are unwell with coughs and colds,
• covering coughs and sneezes (and teaching little ones to sneeze into their elbows),
• keeping your house warm and dry
• keeping your child's environment smokefree
• keeping sick children home from day care and ECE centres (this will help to limit the spread).