​​​​What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes respiratory infections. RSV mostly affects young children. Adults can also get sick from RSV. Most infections in NSW happen in late autumn or winter.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

Most people only get mild symptoms. Symptoms usually begin around 2 to 8 days after exposure to the virus.

Symptoms can include:

• runny nose
• cough
• wheeze
• difficulty breathing
• fever
• cyanosis (bluish or greyish colour of the skin).

Babies under one year of age are more likely to get breathing problems from RSV infection. This can include bronchiolitis​ or pneumonia . Babies may be unsettled or have trouble with feeding.

How is RSV spread?

RSV is very infectious. This means it spreads easily from one person to another. People are usually infectious when they have symptoms.

RSV is spread in droplets. These droplets get into the air or on a surface when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes.

You can get RSV if you:

• breathe in the droplets from an infected person
• ​touch a surface or object that droplets from an infected person have landed on and then touch your mouth or nose.

Am I at higher risk of severe​​​​​ illness from RSV?

RSV can affect anyone. You will likely only have a mild illness.

However, some people can get very sick. This includes:

• ​babies aged 12 months and under, especially thos​​e aged 6 months and under
• young children aged 2 years and under with medical conditions. This could be chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease.
• infants and young children aged 2 and under who were born pre-term or with a low birthweight
• older adults, especially those with chronic heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems.

If your child has asthma, RSV may cause a flare-up of their symptoms (asthma attack).

People who get severely unwell may need to go to hospital to help manage their symptoms.

How do I protect myself and others from RSV?

The best way to reduce the risk of spreading RSV is to have good hygiene.

If you or your child have RSV symptoms, please help protect others:

• stay at home. If you do need to leave home when you are sick, wear a mask
• cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• do not visit high risk settings (such as hospitals or aged care facilities) or people at higher risk of severe illness. This includes babies, infants, older people and those who are immunocompromised
  

Is there a vaccine or immunisation or RSV?

Some babies and older people can get an RSV immunisation or vaccine.

Your baby​

Some babies are at higher risk of severe illness from RSV (see 'Who is at higher risk of severe illness from RSV?' section above). They may be eligible to get an immunisation. These immunisations help protect them from severe illness.

The immunisation is called Beyfortus^™ (nirsevimab). In NSW, it is given to babies under 12 months of age who are at the highest risk of severe illness from RSV.

A doctor will tell you if immunisation is right for your baby. They will organise it for you.

If you are a parent or carer, read the Beyfortus^™​ (nirsevimab) information.

If you are aged over 60

An RSV vaccine called Arexvy is available if you are aged 60 years and older and may be at higher risk of severe illness from RSV. This vaccine is not free.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine, whether it is recommended for you and cost. Read the latest advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)​​​.

How is RSV diagnosed?

Your doctor can check if you or your child has RSV by doing a nose or throat swab (PCR test). Sometimes doctors can diagnose RSV based on signs and symptoms.