RSV symptoms as 'serious virus' coming to UK after Australia surge
Australia saw a record number of RSV cases last year, and NHS officials have suggested that the Australian winter often provides a good indication of how viruses will spread in England. Since the start of 2025, the virus has been progressively spreading, with nearly half of reported cases occurring in children under five years old.
Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: "Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating."
READ MORE: Walker spots giant 'alien' jellyfish washed up on beach
READ MORE: Warning over serious virus affecting newborns after surge in cases
Dr Andy Whittamore, GP and clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, who has pointed out the key symptoms to watch out for and shared some strategies to help protect yourself and your family.
What is RSV?
He said: "Respiratory syncytial virus is a virus that causes symptoms very similar to the common cold, most of us get it at some point and don't even know that we've had it."
According to Asthma + Lung UK, up to 9 in 10 children will contract RSV before they turn two years old and around 175,000 people over the age of 65 visit their GP about RSV each year.
How does it spread?
Dr Whittamore said: "Like most respiratory viruses, RSV spreads by people coughing and sneezing droplets from their own respiratory tract and it is spread to other people that way, It is often spread and caught in the air, by contact or if it ends up on surfaces."
While RSV can circulate all year round, it typically peaks during the colder months.
He said: "We see a major peak in cases in the NHS between October and February, particularly in December/January time."
What are the most common symptoms?
"As a GP, I see a lot of people with respiratory viruses and you can't really tell whether it's flu, Covid, RSV or the common cold," Dr Whittamore says. "Common symptoms are a runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing, coughing, feeling tired etc. People might also have a fever with it and if it's affecting their respiratory system itself, they might experience breathless or wheezing as well."
A high temperature is also another key sign to look out for, according to the NHS website.
Dr Whittamore said: "For most people, these symptoms tend to last no more than a week to 10 days."
Can it lead to any serious complications?
RSV can lead to some serious complications such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis for high-risk groups such as babies, young children and older people.
Dr Whittamore said: "What we see with RSV, especially in younger children under the age of two, is that it can cause bronchiolitis, which causes quite dramatic breathing effects which can quite often put people in hospital.
"We are also seeing that RSV is having a big impact on people over 75. We know that in that age group, the virus is more likely to cause them problems with their breathing and could go on and cause pneumonia and is likely to increase their chances of going to hospital."
The NHS website also states that individuals with weakened immune systems, or long-term lung or heart conditions, and those who smoke tobacco are also at risk.
A more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) may cause a cough that gets worse, shortness of breath, noisy breathing (wheezing), faster breathing or long gaps between breaths, difficulty feeding in babies or loss of appetite, and confusion in older adults, according to the NHS website.
How is it treated?
RSV often improves on its own in one or two weeks, so you can usually manage it at home.
Dr Whittamore said: "One important thing to do is to keep well hydrated, people with RSV should be pushing their fluids, resting more, taking paracetamol and can usually monitor themselves. However, if you are worried about yourself or your child, then seek advice from your GP or call 111."
Can it be prevented?
There are some measures you can take to reduce your chances of contracting RSV or spreading it to anyone else.
Dr Whittamore said: "Make sure that when you are blowing your nose or sneezing that you use a tissue and throw it away, also, remember to wash your hands and clean surfaces regularly."
The GP emphasises that the most crucial way to prevent people from falling ill with RSV is to ensure you receive the RSV vaccination if you are eligible for it.
The RSV jab is recommended if you're expecting (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – to help safeguard your baby for the first few months after they're born – or if you're aged between 75 and 79.
Fresh research from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed the RSV vaccine is around 82% effective in preventing older people being hospitalised with an RSV infection.
"Most GP practices are contacting people and inviting them in, but if somebody thinks they're eligible and haven't been contacted they should contact their GP surgery and see if they can get it booked in," recommends Dr Whittamore.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Glasgow hospice funding plea as it reveals £755k shortfall
A GLASGOW hospice has begun a fundraising campaign after revealing it faces a shortfall of more than three quarters of a million pounds. The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Bellahouston Park is hoping 'the local community' will support its Vital Care Appeal. Chief Executive Rhona Baillie said: 'We provide free specialist palliative and end-of-life care to 1200 new patients and their families each year, both at the hospice at Bellahouston Park and in patients' own homes. 'We're doing everything we can to keep our costs to a minimum. We run our services efficiently, we're innovating with our fundraising, and we make every pound count. 'But despite our efforts, a significant funding gap remains.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) The hospice is predicting a £755,000 shortfall in funding, citing the rise in demand for its services, patients' more complex needs and rising costs as the main pressures. Ms Baillie said that 'with local government funding just 30 per cent of running the hospice, the remaining 70 per cent comes from fundraising and donations' and added: 'We're not in crisis yet, but we need to act and that's why we are turning to our friends in the community for help.' Kirsty with her dad, Robert (Image: PPWH) Kirsty Dolan, 22, is supporting the appeal following the death of her dad, Robert, in the hospice in 2021. Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson's when he was 48 and Kirsty, who was only 10 at the time, along with her mum and older sister, became carers for him. In 2021, he visited the hospital for inpatient care. READ NEXT: Seeds of trees which survived Hiroshima help create new Glasgow garden Glasgow pupil heading for top art school after exam success 'We'll use King's Honours to keep battling for our Glasgow community' 'He had developed supranuclear palsy and needed specialist care,' said Kirsty. 'He was in the IPU for about a week where he just received the very best care you could imagine. 'We got to spend as much time with him as we could, and we even got to bring our dogs in for a visit. When he was nearing the end of his life, we all stayed over at the hospice in the family rooms so we could be close.' Kirsty also received support from the hospice's Family Support Service. 'I was really struggling,' she said. 'I was at breaking point. I emailed the hospice and the Family Support Service got in touch – and I have to say, it changed my life. "The team worked with me over a period of time and just helped me see things differently. ' It really was a lifeline, and I needed that support so much.' Glasgow Times readers helped raise the £21m needed for the new hospice, which opened in 2018, through our Brick by Brick Appeal. For more information on the Vital Care Appeal visit or call 0141 726 2660.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Threatens 250% Tariff on Pharmaceuticals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump has said that tariffs on pharmaceutical imports could eventually reach up to 250 percent, as his administration works to lower prescription prices for Americans. During an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, the president said he will initially impose a "small tariff on pharmaceuticals," which will rise to 150 percent "in one year, one and a half years maximum," before then eventually jumping to 250 percent. Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment. Why It Matters The United States imports a significant amount of pharmaceuticals each year—over $200 billion in 2024, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. Should Trump follow through on ramping up these duties, the highest he has threatened on the industry to date, experts believe this could result in significant increases to drug prices in the U.S. However, some health policy experts told Newsweek this could also help rebalance the global drug supply chain to better favor American customers. What To Know Trump said that the tariffs are intended to encourage pharmaceutical companies to move their operations to the U.S.—"because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country"—and to minimize reliance on Europe. He had previously threatened to place 200 percent tariffs on pharmaceuticals in July, but said he would give the industry time before this change came into effect. Trump's threats of pharmaceutical tariffs have raised concerns among experts that these could lead to increased costs and medication shortages in the U.S. In April, the UNC Center for the Business of Health published a report warning that these effects would be especially significant for generic drugs, which are more likely to be imported and operate on lower profit margins than brand-name medications. "A 250 percent tariff on pharmaceuticals would have a significant impact on drug prices," said health economist Jeromie Ballreich. Ballreich told Newsweek that, for branded pharmaceuticals, higher costs from the tariffs will be "passed on to consumers and most likely will be indirect through higher prescription drug insurance premiums." Major pharmaceutical companies across the world saw their shares fall on Wednesday following Trump's announcement. England-based AstraZeneca was down by 1.1 percent, Indiana-based Eli Lilly by 2.3 percent, and Germany-based Bayer AG by nearly 10 percent as of 11:20 ET. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters near Air Force One at Lehigh Valley International Airport on August 3, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters near Air Force One at Lehigh Valley International Airport on August 3, latest threat comes as the industry braces for the outcome of an ongoing probe by the Commerce Department into the national security implications of America's medicinal imports. The investigation was launched in April by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. Trump did not provide many specifics, such as whether certain classes of pharmaceuticals would be exempt, beyond stating that these tariffs are separate from the country-specific duties that came into effect last week. However, the announcement appears to contradict the terms of the European Union deal struck in July, which the European Commission president said placed a 15-percent tariff "ceiling" on multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals. Experts had already warned that the 15 percent tariff outlined in the EU trade deal could end up costing the pharmaceutical industry billions. The cost implications could also be seen as conflicting with the administration's separate attempts to lower the price of prescription drugs. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meets with President Donald Trump in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27, 2025. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meets with President Donald Trump in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27, May, Trump signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to "ensure foreign countries are not engaged in practices that purposefully and unfairly undercut market prices and drive price hikes in the United States." It also proposed that the U.S. be given Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) status, which would require drug companies to offer Americans the same lowest price that drugs are sold for in other countries. Trump followed this up by sending letters to 17 of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies on July 31, outlining steps they must take within 60 days to lower prescription prices for U.S. customers. These include extending MFN pricing to Medicaid, guaranteeing MFN pricing for new medications and negotiating "harder with foreign freeloading nations." The letters also call on the companies to expand direct-to-consumer distribution models to ensure customers "get the same low MFN prices that manufacturers already offer to third-party payers." "At face value, these tariffs are contradictory to his efforts to lower domestic prices," Ballreich told Newsweek. "However, if the tariffs are used as a threat to get drug companies to comply to his administration's [executive orders], including the recent letters to pharmaceutical CEOs, then I think we could see some changes to the pharmaceutical market, which will lower domestic drug prices." Several drugmakers, including Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, have also pledged to expand their U.S. manufacturing presence. Prior to the letters being sent, but amid this pressure from the administration, a number had also announced they would be reducing some U.S. drug prices. Health policy analyst Mariana Socal warned that beyond potential cost implications, the tariffs could significantly disrupt the drug development pipeline, potentially jeopardizing the release of new medications. "Aside from the problem of added costs, the uncertainty introduced by tariff policies is detrimental in and of itself to the pharmaceutical market," she told Newsweek, noting that only around one in 10,000 investigated compounds make it to pharmacy shelves, and only do so after decades of work. "Any added uncertainty is likely to be detrimental to this industry, including disincentivizing investors from supporting this industry and pharmaceutical manufacturers from continuing to look for cures," she said. What People Are Saying Health economist Jeromie Ballreich told Newsweek: "This tariff could really disrupt the U.S. prescription drug market, especially the Medicare part D market, where the party plans will be on the hook for the higher price prices and result in significant premium increases to offset these higher prices. Given that, I don't think it's likely that this massive tariff will occur, but rather is a threat to force companies to find solutions based on the executive orders and his recent letters to pharmaceutical CEOs." Mariana Socal, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told Newsweek: "It is critical to continue to identify solutions to lower drug prices in America and improve drug affordability for Americans. However, it is unclear how tariffs would advance affordability. On the opposite, tariffs can be understood as a hidden tax." "In the short term, the likelihood that added costs from tariffs will be passed through to consumers can be reduced by existing contractual agreements with supply chain participants such as distributors and group purchasing organizations, which can protect buyers from price increases for 1-3 years," she added. "However, even if the added cost of tariffs would not necessarily be passed-through to patients in the short term, it could raise costs in the long run." What Happens Next On Sunday, Trump said he would be announcing tariffs on the industry "within the next week or so."
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hospital worker tears up as she recalls death of girl, 14, left alone on ward
A care worker at a children's mental health hospital broke down in tears during an inquest hearing as she recalled the moment she realised a suicidal teenage girl who should have been watched at all times had been left alone. Ruth Szymankiewicz was being treated for an eating disorder at Huntercombe Hospital in Berkshire and had been placed under strict one-to-one observation when on February 12 2022, an inexperienced agency worker left her on her own. The 14-year-old was able to shut herself in her bedroom at the hospital's psychiatric intensive care unit – also known as Thames ward – where she self-harmed. She died two days later at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. It later emerged the member of staff responsible for watching Ms Szymankiewicz – a man then known as Ebo Acheampong – had never worked in a psychiatric hospital environment prior to coming to Huntercombe Hospital on February 12 for his first shift. Michelle Hancey, a support worker with 18 years' experience at Huntercombe, teared up as she told a jury inquest on Wednesday about the moment Mr Acheampong told her he 'couldn't follow' Ms Szymankiewicz on the ward – and she realised the teenage girl was alone. 'He just said to me he couldn't follow his patient and when I asked him who his patient was, and when I found out it was Ruth, I told him he needed to look for her immediately,' Ms Hancey said. Ms Szymankiewicz had been placed on the 'level three observation' plan following earlier incidents of self-harm – meaning she had to be kept within eyesight at all times on the ward. Tim Moloney KC, who represents the family, told the hearing: 'What Ruth did on the 12th of February was not out of the blue. 'Those who worked on the ward knew that Ruth would take an opportunity (to self-harm) if it was presented to her.' Mr Acheampong was asked to join the psychiatric intensive care unit on February 12 because the ward was so short-staffed nurses could not go on breaks, the inquest at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court was previously told. Ms Hancey further told jurors that, on the morning of February 12, she had become 'upset and emotional' because of the insufficient staffing on Thames ward. 'I have raised (staffing issues) several times before this event,' Ms Hancey said, adding a lot of staff had fallen sick during that period because of exhaustion. 'There was an agreement that I should have a certain amount of staff on the ward. 'We had very difficult patients and they kept going off.' Ms Hancey filed a risk management form known as a 'Datix incident' on February 12 2022, in which she raised concerns that staff on Thames ward would 'fail to monitor patients on prescribed special observation because of staff shortage', Mr Moloney said. The inquest previously heard Mr Acheampong never returned to work at the hospital following the incident and fled the UK for Ghana. A police investigation later found he had been using false identity documents and was hired by the Platinum agency – which supplied staff for Huntercombe Hospital – under a false name. Active Care Group, which owned Huntercombe at the time of Ms Szymankiewicz's death, has since closed the facility. The inquest continues.
