Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs.
RSV symptoms make it difficult to distinguish from the common cold or other respiratory viruses, such as flu or Covid-19.
Along with the norovirus sickness bug, the four viruses circulating simultaneously have piled pressure on hospitals this winter, many of whom have been forced to adopt emergency measures as beds filled up.
RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill.
Those most at risk are babies under 6-months-old, young children who were born prematurely, adults over 75 years old, babies, children and adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions, people who smoke tobacco, and babies exposed to tobacco smoke.
Almost all children get RSV infections at least once before they are 2-years-old.
In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. This can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital. RSV can also cause a serious lung infection (pneumonia) in babies and older adults.
Surge in norovirus cases hits hospitals as patients at five-year high
Read MoreRSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus. Officials advise some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting it or spreading it to anyone else, such as: wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly; try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean; use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you’ve used them; and try to keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health.
RSV levels decreased last week and was circulating at low levels overall, according to Latest NHS England figures. However, officials have previously warned that the virus can spread all year round. RSV affects the airways and lungs, and for older adults can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia or other life-threatening conditions.
Younger children are also more likely to be affected. Some 18 children on average were in hospital with RSV each day last week – a decrease from 28 on the previous week.
The vaccine programme
On 1 September last year, the NHS in in England, Wales and Northern Ireland started vaccinating people against RSV for the first time in its history with almost 1.5 million getting the vaccine to date, including more than 1.3 million people aged 75-80.
The vaccine will reduce the risk of severe symptoms and only one dose is needed.
A study in The Lancet found the first season of vaccination could prevent up to 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 RSV illnesses in older adults.
Those eligible are: adults 75 and older, adults 60–74 who are at high risk of severe RSV and people aged 18-59 who at high risk of the disease.
Pregnant women are also eligible for the vaccine from 28 weeks onwards, as RSV is a leading cause of infant mortality, with nearly 150,000 women being vaccinated since September. Women can speak to their maternity service or GP practice.
Last month, a mother of a baby girl who was seriously ill in hospital with RSV urged pregnant women to take up the vaccination against it. Isla, who is 10 months old, spent five days in the high dependency unit at King’s Mill Hospital in November before returning home.
Isla’s mother Jessica, from Clay Cross in Derbyshire, said the jab was not available when she was pregnant, but said: “If I knew then what I know now, I would have had the vaccine, 100 per cent.”
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