Severe RSV Disease is unpredictable

It is not just infants born prematurely or those with underlying conditions who may be hospitalised with RSV. Up to 80% of infants and children who are admitted to hospital with RSV are otherwise healthy children, with no predisposing conditions.^2-5

It's time to rethink the risk of severe RSV disease in all infants.

RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation for infants and children <5 years in Australia,⁶ with 15,864 hospital admissions per year.⁷ It is extremely infectious – potentially more so than influenza and COVID-19^8-11 – and despite most infections being mild, it can rapidly progress to severe, life-threatening disease in some children.^12-14

Twice the fight:
When Lauren's babies caught RSV

Although most cases of RSV infection in babies are mild and clear up on their own, some can be more serious. Lauren – whose twin boys were just a week old when they were each hospitalised with RSV – wants other parents to understand the risk.

RSV has a large impact on patients, their families, the healthcare system, and the economy.⁷

There is almost universal exposure to RSV by 3 years of age.¹⁵

Up to 80% of infants and children who are admitted to hospital with RSV are otherwise healthy children, with no predisposing conditions.^2-5

Hospitalisations are just the tip of the iceberg with 97% of infants and children diagnosed with RSV managed in the community.¹⁶

Families experience financial burden associated with their child’s RSV, and emotional turmoi that can persist beyond the child’s recovery.^7,17

The average annual societal cost for Australian children <5 years admitted to hospital with RSV is estimated to be $193 million i.e. costs of hospitalisation, productivity loss, and out-of-pocket costs.⁷

There is no clinically effective curative treatment for RSV infection.⁷

Signs and symptoms

RSV infection causes mild upper respiratory tract infection in most people.¹⁸ Symptoms of mild cases include:¹⁹

Rhinorrhoea (runny nose)
Cough
Congestion
Low-grade fever
Reduced appetite
Respiratory distress

A quarter of symptomatic cases are more severe with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) such as tracheobronchitis or bronchitis. The most common manifestation of LRTI is bronchiolitis, an acute viral LRTI in infants characterised by rhinorrhoea, a dry, wheezy cough, tachypnoea, dyspnoea, and often respiratory retractions. Patients may have a fever, although high fever is uncommon. Very young and premature infants may also experience apnoea.¹⁸

Children <3 years are at risk of severe infections, with babies <6 months at an even higher risk of developing bronchiolitis or pneumonia.²⁰

Older children and adults may also have an increased risk of severe symptoms if they have existing chronic heart, lung, or immune problems.¹²

Expand your knowledge

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a member of the paramyxovirus family, an RNA virus related to other respiratory viruses such as influenza and parainfluenza.²¹ Each year, RSV causes an estimated 3.2 million hospital admissions globally in children under 5, predominantly in low- and middle‑income countries.²²

Most data suggests that RSV infection is almost always symptomatic, with clinical presentation ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) or otitis media, to severe and potentially life-threatening LRTI.¹⁸ The most common form of LRTI is bronchiolitis, but pneumonia and croup also occur.¹²

Almost all children will have been infected by the age of 3 years.¹² Lower airway involvement occurs in approximately 15–50% of infants and young children and requires hospitalisation in 1–3% of all births annually.¹⁸

RSV Seasonality

RSV is seasonal, with infections typically occurring during the autumn and winter months, often peaking in June and July in Australia, with these outbreaks usually preceding the influenza season.²²

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been large scale out-of-season RSV outbreaks, which have corresponded with easing restrictions. It is unclear how long the disruptions to seasonal patterns will occur for due to the impact of COVID-19, so it is important to remain vigilant.^22,23

Prevention

There are three immunisations registered in Australia for prevention of RSV in infants.^24,25,26

In addition, some simple ways to reduce the spread of RSV include:^12,13,27

Washing hands regularly with soap and warm water or using hand sanitiser.
Wearing a mask in crowded areas or when visiting high risk individuals.
Regularly cleaning surfaces and items that may be contaminated, including toys shared among children.
Staying at home when unwell.
Covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
Avoiding sharing cups, glasses, or cutlery with people when unwell.
Throwing out tissues as soon as they’ve been used.
Avoiding contact with high-risk people such as infants, older people and immunocompromised individuals when sick.

RSV Resources

Check out these resources to stay informed on RSV.

Parent Prevention Tips

Spread the message to help limit the spread.

Download the leaflet

RSV Awareness Posters

Posters to capture parents' attention and create awareness around RSV.

Download the posters

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