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Understanding more about RSV and the risk to babies

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Whether you’re expecting, have a baby, or are supporting a loved one, it's important to know what to look out for when it comes to RSV.


Don't let RSV spoil those special moments.

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On this page you’ll learn:
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What is RSV?

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RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a highly contagious virus that can make babies sick and possibly send them to the hospital, especially if they’re under 6 months old. Symptoms can include irritability, not moving or eating as much, and pauses while breathing.
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How does RSV spread?

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RSV can spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of infected people when they cough and sneeze, either by inhaling the droplets or touching the surface where they land.
Other people, including babies, can become infected when those droplets come into contact with their eyes, nose or mouth.
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RSV risk starts at birth

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RSV spreads easily, especially between siblings and family members. Unfortunately this includes visitors to the hospital and the home shortly after birth. So the risk of babies becoming sick due to RSV begins from the moment they are born.
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Babies are most vulnerable to getting sick from RSV during their first 6 months

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A baby’s immune system isn’t fully developed when they are born and needs time to grow stronger. RSV may cause collapsed air sacs in the lungs, which leads to more serious breathing issues like severe coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or pneumonia.
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~75% of hospital admissions in children due to RSV occur within the first 6 months of life.1

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Babies have the highest risk of going to intensive care or being put on a ventillator because of RSV during the first 6 months of their lives.1,2
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of babies and children hospitalised with RSV are otherwise healthy, with no underlying health issues.3

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Warning signs and symptoms of RSV in babies

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Learning some of the early signs of RSV can help you decide if it’s time to get your baby to the doctor or hospital. If you notice any of these symptoms in your baby, talk to your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
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Irritability

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Pauses while breathing

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Not moving or feeding as much

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Cough that is getting worse

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If your baby does get RSV, try to reduce the spread to help keep your other family members safe — especially if you have others in your home who are at high risk of getting sick from the virus, like other babies or anyone aged 60 years or older.
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Stay ahead of RSV

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Help protect babies from RSV during one of their most vulnerable stages of life.
Washing your hands, avoiding close contact with sick people, and cleaning surfaces can help stop the spread of RSV to babies. But there may be more you can do.
Talk to your doctor or antenatal provider about RSV.
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Older adults are also at risk of getting sick due to RSV

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RSV can cause serious complications in adults aged 60 years or older, and spreads easily, particularly among family members.
Learn more about how to protect them.
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References:

  1. Parikh RC, McLaurin KK, Margulis AV, et al. Infect Dis Ther. 2017;6(4):477-486.
  2. Self A, et al. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:2560.
  3. Time to Act: Protecting our children from RSV. Evohealth (2023).
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