RSV Awareness Week is an important time to highlight a virus that affects millions of families worldwide every year.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious, and sometimes serious infection that targets the lungs and breathing passages.

What is RSV?

RSV is one of the most widespread respiratory viruses, around 90% of all children will contract it by the age of two.
For most, it appears much like a common cold. However, RSV can quickly become serious, particularly in babies and toddlers, and is one of the leading causes of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants.

Even babies born full-term and otherwise healthy can become severely unwell. In fact, around 80% of infants hospitalised with severe RSV have no pre-existing conditions.

Recognising Symptoms in Babies and Toddlers

RSV symptoms often start mild and resemble those of a common cold. It’s important to watch for any changes in your child’s breathing or behaviour, as symptoms can worsen quickly, especially in very young babies.

Mild Symptoms

• Cough

• Runny or congested nose

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Fever

Babies under six months may not always show these typical cold symptoms. Instead, they might:

• Seem unusually fussy or irritable

• Show less interest in playing

• Have a decreased appetite

• Struggle to swallow, feed, or drink

Severe Symptoms — When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

If your baby shows any of the following signs, seek medical attention straight away:

• Noisy or laboured breathing (such as wheezing)

• Flaring nostrils while breathing

• Belly breathing or the chest visibly pulling in with each breath

• Blue or grey colour around the lips, mouth, or fingernails

• Short, shallow, or rapid breathing – or pauses in breathing

These can all indicate that your baby is struggling to get enough oxygen and needs urgent care.

Why Awareness Matters

Education and awareness are the most powerful tools we have to protect vulnerable infants. Recognising the signs of RSV early can help parents and carers act quickly, and potentially save lives.

While RSV is most often associated with young children, adults aged 65 and over are also at risk of severe illness. We’ll explore how symptoms differ in older adults later in the week.

For trusted information and educational resources on RSV, visit resvinet.org, where you can learn more about prevention, recognition, and current research.