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As the peak RSV season (typically December and January ) approaches, parents and caregivers should become familiar with the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV ). RSV is a common virus that causes coughs, colds, and may cause infection in the lower part of the respiratory system. These are known as lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs ). An online survey conducted by Sanofi in 2024 consisted of 500 adults who were either currently pregnant or who had children under the age of four in Ireland, to better understand their level of awareness and knowledge of RSV. The survey results revealed that just over half (51 per cent ) of Irish parents had heard of RSV and understand the risk it poses to infants and babies, but almost one in five (19 per cent ) had not heard of RSV. Approximately 90 per cent of young children are infected with RSV by two years of age, with RSV being the leading cause of LRTIs in babies. While most symptoms of RSV are mild, such as a runny nose, coughing and sneezing, it is the most common cause of hospital admissions due to acute respiratory illness in young children. "While most RSV infections in infants are mild and resolve within a few weeks, some can be severe enough to require hospitalisation," said Dr Máire Finn, a GP at Ennis Centric Health. "Early RSV symptoms can mimic a common cold, including fever, sniffles, wheezing, reduced appetite, or ear infections. If symptoms worsen to include changes in feeding, prolonged periods without wet nappies, rapid breathing, persistent high fever despite medication, or unusual fussiness, contact your GP. If your child exhibits clear breathing difficulties or significant pauses in breathing, immediately seek urgent medical attention by calling 999." According to the Health Service Executive, symptoms of RSV can often resemble a cold at the beginning, including a cough, wheezing, runny nose, difficulty feeding or decreased appetite, and a sore throat. Precautionary steps can be taken to help protect infants. The most important of these is frequent handwashing. Parents should also avoid sharing items such as utensils and cups with someone who as RSV symptoms, while those with symptoms should cover their nose and mouth (preferably with a tissue ) when they cough and sneeze, and wash their hands for at least 10 seconds. Cleaning contaminated surfaces, such as door handles, may also be helpful. The HSE also recommends that parents or caregivers contact a GP if they are worried about their baby’s symptoms or if: Your baby has had less than three to four wet nappies in a 24 hour period. Your baby has gone 12 hours without having a wet nappy. Your baby has no energy to breastfeed, or if they are refusing to feed. Or if your baby is too breathless to attach to your breast. You are bottle feeding and you notice your baby is taking less than half of what they would normally take. Your child has a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher that does not settle or improve. Your child seems short of breath. Your child has no energy or is irritable. The HSE recommends immediately calling 999 or 112 for an ambulance or going to your nearest emergency department if the child is having visible difficulty breathing; has gone blue on their lips or tongue; will not stay awake or wake up; has long gaps in breathing (more than 10 seconds at a time or regular short gaps in breathing of 5 to 10 seconds ); is breathing a lot faster than usual (more than 60 breaths per minute ); is pale and sweaty; or has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more. Sanofi has a newly updated, informative website www.togetheragainstrsv.ie, that provides information about RSV to complement HSE advice. The survey and website form part of a nationwide RSV campaign, Together Against RSV.
