Prevention and Management
How to help protect babies against RSV?
While most cases of RSV infection cause mild disease, severe disease can develop rapidly1,2 and can affect any baby.4-10 So taking steps to reduce the chances of RSV transmission is very important.
There are precautions you can take to help protect your baby from RSV. These are the same steps you might take to prevent other common viral infections like:11,12
- Washing hands frequently for 20 seconds
- Keeping your hands away from your face
- Disinfecting surfaces and toys
- Avoiding close contact with others who may be showing symptoms
Immunization options to help protect babies against RSV-related illnesses are available, including those given at birth or during routine paediatrician visits.
Speak to your paediatrician or overall healthcare provider to learn more.
How does RSV spread?
RSV can be spread through droplets from the nose and mouth, which can be transferred via coughs, sneezes, and close physical contact, like cuddles and kisses.3
An RSV infection can cause common cold-like symptoms.1 Most people will be unaware that they’re infected with RSV, which is why it can easily be spread to others.1,13 RSV can survive on hard surfaces, such as toys, cribs, and utensils, for many hours. It can then spread to babies if they touch these surfaces before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.1,3
Babies often catch RSV in places such as daycare centres or playing areas, as well as from older siblings who have been infected with RSV outside the home, such as at school.3
Footnotes & references
RSV, respiratory syncytial virus.
1. Piedimonte G and Perez MK. Pediatr Rev 2014; 35(12): 519–530.
2. Smyth RL and Breary SP. Encyclopedia of Respiratory Medicine. Bronchiolitis, Elsevier Ltd. 2006.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms of RSV. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/symptoms/. Accessed: September 2024.
4. Demont C et al. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21(1): 730.
5. Sanchez-Luna M et al. Curr Med Res Opin 2016; 32(4): 693‒698.
6. Kobayashi Y et al. Pediatr Int 2021; 64(1): e14957.
7. Hartmann K et al. J Infect Dis 2022; 226(3): 386‒395.
8. Yu J et al. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25(6): 1127‒1135.
9. Thwaites R et al. Eur J Pediatr 2020; 179(5): 791‒799.
10. Arriola C et al. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2020; 9(5): 587–595 (Suppl Appendix).
11. Cleveland Clinic. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). [Online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8282-respiratory-syncytial-virus-in-children-and-adults [Accessed November 2023]
12. Welsh Government. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bronchiolitis. [Online] Available at: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-10/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-and-bronchiolitis-leaflet.pdf [Accessed November 2023]
13. Coultas JA et al. Thorax 2019; 74(10): 986–993.