This sponsored article is part of the ‘Together against RSV’ disease awareness initiative created and funded by Sanofi Pasteur.

You’re already on the lookout for any Covid-19 symptoms in your kids and babies. But with rates of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the rise[1], you’ll also want to know the signs of this common infection.

Even though RSV is very common[2], not many parents know about it[3]. We’ve teamed up with Sanofi Pasteur on their new Together Against RSV campaign*, which aims to raise awareness of the virus and the illnesses it causes.  

A recent survey commissioned by Sanofi Pasteur, as part of the Together Against RSV campaign, found 37% of parents felt they had a lack of understanding on how to manage their child’s respiratory illness from home. Meanwhile, 69% said the information they found online was overwhelming and/or contradictory[4]. 

So what exactly is RSV, what are the symptoms, who is at risk and when should you get medical help for your child? Here’s your go-to guide of everything you need to know …

What is RSV?

We'll start with the basics: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pronounced ‘sin-si-tial', is a common virus that can cause lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs)[2]. An LRTI is an infection of the airways and lungs where one or both lungs can be affected[5]. 90% of children will have come into contact with RSV by the time they're two[6].

Most cases of RSV infection are mild and resolve on their own after 1-2 weeks without the need for treatment[7]. However, it can cause more serious illnesses like bronchiolitis, pneumonia and croup[8][9].

RSV infections are typically seasonal with cases starting to appear in October through to March[10]. However, this year, RSV rates started to rise[1] in the summer due to lowered immunities as a result of lockdown. Public Health England warns of an expected rise as we head into the winter months[11].

Professor Harish Nair, Chair of Paediatric Infections Diseases and Global Health, University of Edinburgh says:

'One of the indirect effects of COVID-19 related restrictions has been that other respiratory viruses like RSV completely disappeared for about 15 months. This means there are children and babies who have never been exposed to RSV or have very little immunity against the virus.

'What we are seeing in the UK is large out-of-season epidemics which can be more prolonged than the normal RSV winter season. The increase in RSV cases coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to severely stress the NHS.'

Who is most at risk of RSV?

RSV can infect people of all ages,[7] however, it may cause more severe illness in infants under 12 months old[12]. RSV can affect babies and toddlers. In fact, nearly all children are infected with RSV by the time they are two[6].

Most RSV infections in babies are mild and will typically clear up within a few weeks on their own. However some cases can be more serious and hospital care may be needed[7].

What are the symptoms of RSV?

According to the NHS, RSV can cause cold-like symptoms, including[13]:

• Blocked nose
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Temperature (fever)
• Rapid or noisy breathing
• Loss of appetite

If you’re concerned about your baby, you should always seek medical advice.

Is RSV contagious?

With cases of RSV on the rise[1], it’s no surprise to hear that it’s easily spread[14]. Just like other viruses, it can be passed on when an infected person coughs or sneezes out tiny droplets of liquid[14].

RSV can survive on a surface for 24 hours, so if your child picks up a toy that has the virus on it and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth, they could also be infected. Their symptoms are likely to peak between day three and five, says the NHS[13].

If your child has RSV, they can be infectious for three weeks, even if their symptoms have cleared up.[13]

How do I know if my child needs medical help?

Most cases of RSV are mild and will clear up on their own[7]. However, some babies or young children will develop more serious infections like bronchiolitis, pneumonia or croup[8][9].

The NHS recommends that you should seek medical advice if you're worried about your child's symptoms or notice any of the following[5]:

• They're not feeding normally (they've taken less than half their usual amount during the last two or three feeds)
• Your child has not had a wet nappy for 12 hours or more
• They're breathing very fast
• They have a persistent high temperature of 38°C or above
• They seem very tired and irritable.

How do I treat my child if they have RSV?

Currently there is no specific treatment suitable for general use[12]. As RSV is a viral infection, antibiotics are not recommended[15].

Instead, treatment is aimed at supporting the person with the infection and relieving their symptoms[16].

How can I stop my child being infected with RSV?

The virus is contagious but there are things you can do to help prevent the spread of RSV. These include: good handwashing, especially after going to the toilet and before meals, cleaning toys and surfaces, and avoiding close contact with others who may be showing symptoms of carrying the virus[5].

Always sneeze or cough into tissues to prevent any droplets being spread[7].

For more information, visit Sanofi Pasteur's Together Against RSV website.

*Together Against RSV is a disease awareness initiative, created and funded by Sanofi Pasteur.

References:

1 Public Health England. Public Health England Press Release. Health Chiefs Issue Warning as Childhood Respiratory Infections Rise Ahead of Winter. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/health-chiefs-issue-warning-as-childhood-respiratory-infections-rise-ahead-of-winter (Accessed November 2021)

2 Verway, C. and Nunes, M. RSV lower respiratory tract infection and lung health in the first 2 years of life. The Lancet: Global Health. 2020; 8: 1247-1248

3 Netmums. Data on File

4 Sanofi Pasteur. Data on File

5 Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Patient information leaflet. Patient Leaflet. (January 2020). NHS

6 Wennergren, G. and Kristjánsson, S.  Relationship between respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis and future obstructive airway diseases. European Respiratory Journal. 2001;18:1044-1058

7 Nfid.org. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Available at: https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/rsv/ (Accessed November 2021)

8 Piedimonte, G. and Perez, M. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection and Bronchiolitis. Pediatr Rev. 2014;35(12):519-530

9 Hopkinsmedicine.org. Croup. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/croup (Accessed November 2021)

10 Tregoning, J and Schwarze,J. Respiratory viral infections in infants: Causes, clinical symptoms, virology andimmunology. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2010 Jan;23(1): 74-98

11 Academy of Medical Sciences. COVID-19: Preparing for the future: looking ahead to winter 2021/22 and beyond. Available at: https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/4747802 (Accessed November 2021)

12 Public Health England. Guidance. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-symptoms-transmission-prevention-treatment/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-symptoms-transmission-prevention-treatment (Accessed November 2021)

13 Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. How to reduce the risk of your baby catching RSV. Available at: https://www.hey.nhs.uk/news/2018/12/11/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-your-baby-catching-rsv/ (Accessed November 2021)

14 East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Parent Information. Available at: https://www.emnodn.nhs.uk/media/2174/emnodn-rsv-leaflet-july-2021.pdf (Accessed November 2021)

15 Eiland, L. Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Diagnosis, Treatment and Preventin. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Apr-Jun; 14(2): 75-85

16 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-symptoms-transmission-prevention-treatment/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-symptoms-transmission-prevention-treatment (Accessed November 2021)

Date of prep: November 2021
Job bag: MAT-GB-2104951(v1.0)