Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus in the winter and spring months in New Zealand. It is one of many viruses that cause infections of the respiratory tract. The respiratory tract is the parts of the body related to breathing like the nose, windpipe, air passages in the lungs, and the lungs.
RSV is very easy to catch. Infectious droplets spread through the air after an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. You can also catch RSV by touching a surface with infected saliva or mucus.
Tamariki often catch RSV at school or daycare. They can take it home to their baby brothers and sisters who can get very sick from RSV.
Almost all tamariki get an RSV infection by the time they are 2 years old.
RSV outbreaks are more common in the winter and spring months.
Most older tamariki have symptoms similar to a common cold. But, pēpi and very young tamariki can get very sick, and need to go to hospital. In this age group, RSV can also cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Those at highest risk of getting very sick include:
See how you can prevent your baby or young child getting RSV infection further down the page.
A paediatrician may recommend a medicine to prevent serious illness caused by RSV in high-risk pēpi.
Read about RSV passive immunisation for high risk babies [4]
The symptoms of RSV infection include:
In very young babies with RSV, the only symptoms may be:
Someone is usually infectious (can spread the virus) for up to 10 days after symptoms begin.
If your child has any new respiratory symptoms, keep your baby or child home from childcare centres or school. Phone Healthline (for free) on 0800 611 116 or your doctor as soon as possible for advice. Make sure to phone your doctor before visiting.
Please keep your baby or child away from childcare centres or school until they no longer have symptoms.
You should see your family doctor or go to an after-hours medical centre urgently if your baby or young child:
You should also see a doctor if you are worried about your baby or young child.
Even if you've already seen your doctor, if your child's breathing gets worse or you are worried, take your child back to the doctor.
Check the signs that show your child is struggling to breathe [5]
Dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help if your baby or young child:
Most tamariki with RSV infections get better by themselves without any special treatment. There is no specific treatment for RSV infection.
Sometimes pēpi and young tamariki need help with their breathing. This might include extra oxygen through small soft plastic tubes that fit into your child's nose.
If your baby is not drinking enough, they may need feeding through a nasogastric tube (a tube through the nose into the stomach) or fluid through an intravenous drip (into a vein).
Many tamariki will be able to recover from this illness at home.
If your baby or child is sick, please keep them away from childcare centres or school until they no longer have symptoms.
Remember to sleep baby on their back in their own bed and don't prop them up with pillows or blankets.
There is currently no RSV vaccine available for tamariki in Aotearoa New Zealand. (There is work is happening on developing RSV vaccines for tamariki).
Some immunity to RSV develops over the first couple of years of life, but you are never completely protected against RSV. You can have RSV more than once but symptoms are usually milder after the first time.
Breastfeeding your baby protects them from getting RSV infection by boosting their infection-fighting (immune) system. Breastfeeding beyond 4 months of age offers the best protection.
Make sure your child's environment is smoke-free. If you want to give up smoking:
Make sure your child is up to date with all their immunisations. There is currently no RSV vaccine available for tamariki in New Zealand but immunisation can prevent bacterial infections following RSV infection.
The National Immunisation Schedule is the series of immunisations that are free for pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi (and adults). The Schedule lists the immunisations and the age your child can have them.
As well as the immunisations on the Schedule, your child can have immunisation against the flu.
Find out more on the KidsHealth flu immunisation page [8].
Find out what immunisations your child needs, and when, at the Immunise website [12].
You can create a chart for your pēpi at the Immunise website [13]. By putting in your child's birthday, it will show you the immunisations your pēpi needs and when they should have them.
The chart below is just an example - create one for your pēpi
Keeping the house warm and well-insulated will also decrease your baby's risk of developing RSV infection.
Read about keeping your home warm and dry [14]
It is sensible to keep young babies away from people who have colds and coughs.
Make sure everyone in your family washes their hands regularly and thoroughly and dries them well, including (but not only) before preparing food and eating. This can reduce the spread of infection.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow - coughing or sneezing into your elbow catches the droplets and stops them getting onto your hands. That means you won't spread the virus to other people and make them sick too. You can also cough or sneeze into tissues. Put any used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately. Then wash your hands thoroughly. Then dry.
This World Health Organisation video about basic measures to protect yourself and everyone else against COVID-19 is also relevant for protecting yourself against a respiratory infection like RSV.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection [15] Health Navigator.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) [16] Ministry of Health.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV) [17] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA.
Understanding respiratory syncytial virus [18] Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ.
This page last reviewed 09 July 2021.
Email us [19] your feedback
Links
[1] tel:0800 611 116
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/bronchiolitis
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/pneumonia
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/rsv-passive-immunisation-high-risk-babies
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/signs-children-are-struggling-breathe
[6] tel:0800 778 778
[7] https://quit.org.nz/
[8] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/flu-immunisation
[9] https://healthed.govt.nz/products/immunise-their-best-protection-english-version
[10] https://cdn.accentuate.io/5313713668254/11408390422661/HE1221-Protect-Your-Child-Poster_Feb-2023_3.0_WEB-v1678132836436.PDF
[11] https://cdn.accentuate.io/5313713733790/11408390422661/HE2521-Immunise---their-best-protection-te-reo-Maori-WEB-v1682566408241.pdf
[12] https://www.immunise.health.nz/when-to-immunise/national-immunisation-schedule/
[13] https://www.immunise.health.nz/get-a-personalised-immunisation-schedule/
[14] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/keeping-your-home-warm-dry
[15] https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/r/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-infection/
[16] https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv
[17] https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
[18] https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/stories/understanding-respiratory-syncytial-virus
[19] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F2573%3Flanguage%3Dmi