{"id":18326,"date":"2023-06-20T13:41:02","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T03:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mvec.mcri.edu.au\/?post_type=references&p=18326"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:50:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T04:50:56","slug":"respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv","status":"publish","type":"references","link":"https:\/\/mvec.mcri.edu.au\/vi\/references\/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv\/","title":{"rendered":"Virus h\u1ee3p b\u00e0o h\u00f4 h\u1ea5p (RSV)"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n

What is it?<\/h2>\n

Respiratory <\/span>syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes both upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Children under 1 year of age, individuals with underlying medical conditions (e.g. chronic cardiac and lung disease), the <\/span>older population<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>immunocompromised people<\/span><\/a> are more likely to experience serious disease requiring hospitalisation.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to look for<\/h2>\n

Cold<\/span>\u2011<\/span>like symptoms such as rhinorrhoea (runny nose), fever, wheeze, headache and cough are common. Symptoms generally appear 1 to 5 days after exposure and can last 8 to 15 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms may progress to shortness of breath, wheezing, bronchospasm (the sudden tightening of lung muscles) and feeding problems (in children). One third of children develop otitis media (ear infection).<\/span><\/p>\n

Whilst most infections are mild, bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia (lung infection) can occur, and may lead to hospitalisation for supportive measures such as oxygen therapy and rehydration. It is estimated that bacterial co<\/span>\u2011<\/span>infections occur in around 30% of hospitalised patients. In older adults, RSV can exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lead to heart failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

How is it transmitted?<\/h2>\n

RSV is highly contagious and can be transmitted via the inhalation of droplets containing the virus. RSV can also be transmitted when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People with RSV are generally considered infectious for 3 to 8 days. However, some people continue to spread the virus for up to 4 weeks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Epidemiology<\/h2>\n

Children and older adults have the highest rates of RSV infection. Almost all children will have experienced infection by the age of 2 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are at greater risk of RSV<\/span>\u2011<\/span>associated hospitalisation than non<\/span>\u2011<\/span>Indigenous adults. Reinfection occurs throughout the lifetime since natural infection does not provide long<\/span>\u2011<\/span>term immunity. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (<\/span><\/span>PAEDS)<\/a> network monitors data on children admitted to hospital with RSV infections through enhanced site surveillance in Australia<\/span>, <\/span>including<\/span> RCH and Monash Health<\/span> in Victoria.<\/span>\u00a0This data is updated monthly and can be accessed via PAEDS: Paediatric RSV in Australia.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

RSV infections are commonly seasonal, with a peak in cases usually seen over autumn and winter in temperate climates, and during the rainy season in tropical climates.\u00a0 In recent years, RSV notification rates have increased significantly in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prevention<\/h2>\n

Previous infection with RSV can provide some immunity but this protection is only short term. Multiple infections can occur within the same year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both monoclonal antibodies and vaccines are available in Australia for RSV prevention, and are recommended for specific populations. Previous infection with RSV is not a contraindication to receipt of preventative products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monoclonal antibodies<\/h3>\n

Monoclonal antibodies are a type of immunoglobulin<\/span> (<\/span>immune system protein<\/span>)<\/span> that can be administered to <\/span>provide passive immunity<\/span><\/span> (<\/span>short<\/span><\/span>\u2011<\/span><\/span>term protection gained from donated <\/span>antibodies<\/span>)<\/span><\/span>.<\/span> In Australia<\/span>,<\/span> t<\/span>here are two <\/span>RSV <\/span>monoclonal antibodies available for use in infants and young<\/strong> <\/span>children<\/span><\/strong> only<\/strong> (from birth to under 2 years):<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n