6 days ago
RSV symptoms as 'serious virus' coming to UK after Australia surge
NHS experts have urged people who are eligible for a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to take it up after cases surged in Australia.
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.
