Information on respiratory syncytial virus information

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. In older children and adults, RSV may cause a cough or cold, but in younger children it can cause bronchiolitis.

We are seeing a number of cases of RSV and respiratory conditions in primary and secondary care. We hope that this video will help you to learn more about the common symptoms and to understand when your child might need medical help and when you can manage the symptoms at home. 

Common symptoms include: 

Cough – Often a sign of viral infection and doesn’t often affect the chest. If your child is taking fluids, peeing and is otherwise well, with no difficulty breathing (see video), this should settle on its own in two to three weeks.

Bronchiolitis – A viral chest infection in babies less than a year of age. Most babies get better by themselves but the infection can get worse around day 4.

If your baby is taking less than half her normal feeds or isn’t wetting her nappy, or if your baby’s chest and tummy are seesawing (moving abnormally in and out), they need to be seen by a doctor.

If your baby looks grey or blue or stops breathing, call 999 immediately.

Wheeze – Common in toddlers where a viral infection goes to their chest – the wheezy sound is caused by their airways tightening in response to the virus. If you think your child sounds wheezy, they need to be seen by a nurse practitioner or doctor to see if your child will get better with an inhaler. Most children can be managed at home after this. However, if your child is struggling to breathe, they need to come to the Emergency Department and if their face is grey or blue or they stop breathing, call 999 immediately.

This advice also applies if your child is asthmatic.

Croup – If your child makes a loud, barking cough like a seal, they likely have an infection called croup. The sound is caused by the virus causing swelling and narrowing to the upper airway. Bring your child to the Emergency Department where they will be given medicine to reduce the swelling.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) – This new virus causes many symptoms in children which are similar to other common viral illnesses. Most children get better on their own. To date, very few children have become seriously unwell with the virus.

If your child has a continuous cough or fever or can’t smell anything, arrange for your child to get a coronavirus test and self-isolate until you know the result https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.