A new vaccination programme aimed at protecting newborns and older adults against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and its complications, has been approved by the Department of Health.
From September all pregnant women in Northern Ireland will be offered the RSV vaccination, providing infants with protection against the virus from birth, along with adults aged 75-79.
It follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
So what is RSV, what are the symptoms of RSV and what do you need to know?
What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and what are the symptoms?
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds and the virus spreads easily through the air on infected respiratory droplets.
An infected person is most contagious during the first week or so after infection. But in infants and those with weakened immunity, the virus may continue to spread even after symptoms go away, for up to four weeks.
Signs and symptoms usually appear around four to six days after exposure to the virus. In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- Congested or runny nose
- Dry cough
- Low-grade fever
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Headache
Does it only affect babies and infants or can adults get it too?
Almost all children get RSV at least once before they’re two years old.
It’s not usually serious, but some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill, particularly:
- babies under six months old
- children who were born prematurely
- babies, children and older adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
- adults over 75 years
While some babies and older adults experience mild cold-like illness, for others, infection can lead to more severe lung problems such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
This can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital.
How to avoid catching and spreading RSV
RSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.
The virus also passes to others through direct contact, such as shaking hands.
The virus can live for hours on hard objects such as countertops, crib rails and toys. Touch your mouth, nose or eyes after touching a contaminated object and you’re likely to pick up the virus.
There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting it or spreading it to anyone else, such as:
- wash your hands and your child’s hands often
- wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly
- avoid sharing things like cutlery and cups
- use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you’ve used them
- keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions
What is the treatment for RSV and how long does it usually last?
There’s no specific treatment for RSV and it often gets better on its own in one or two weeks.
You can usually look after yourself or your child at home, but children and adults who get a more serious infection may need to be treated in hospital.
Treatment in hospital may include being given fluids to avoid dehydration or oxygen to help you breathe.
Is there an RSV vaccine available on the NHS?
A vaccine to help protect against RSV will be available on the NHS from September 2024.
You can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting an RSV vaccination if you are 28 weeks pregnant or more. If you are aged 75 to 79, your GP surgery will contact you about getting vaccinated.
Always consult your doctor for an accurate RSV diagnosis and treatment advice, and seek urgent help if someone is experiencing any signs of breathing difficulties.
